Is that why the Egyptian, Jordan, PA, Saudi kingdom, Morroco and other dirty regimes are kept alive thanks to western powers? Israel knows that is a democracy is instaured in Arab world, they have no chance of survival what so ever!!!

Smadar Peri is no rookie journalist. She's been rubbing elbows with Arab leaders for decades, speaks to them in their language, and can read the winds of change. Except she's right - there are no wins of change blowing in the Arab world. There will be no democracy emerging in the west bank, nor in Tunisia, nor anywhere else in the Arab world. Too bad for the Arab man in the street, who keeps looking to the west and hoping for a green card ...

Just read your press. And look into a mirror.

JEWS are unable to establish democracy for themselves. Please come back when you've grown out of over-generalising 100s of millions of people.

Is Israel a democracy? Not really. There are some western-style freedoms, but quite limited, actually, particularly if you're a settler. The cast of characters in cabinet is almost the same, year after year. Their failing policies and usual mismanagement, the same. Is the USA a democracy? Not really. They throw the rascals out and they get the same powerful financial elite sucking citizens dry while they transfer trillions into international financial institutions. Let's face it. Democracy is a dream. The best we can do is to continue yapping at the heels of the powerful so that they'll know we're here, we're angry and we aren't giving up. So, dear boys and girls, if we can't get it together, how could others who have no tradition of tolerance, no idea of how to make democracy work, who suffer under institutionalized kleptocracy, and who are further handicapped by oppressive religious ideas that control not only what citizens do but what they think as well. Solution? Protect what we've got in the west: our cities, our countries, and let others figure out their own way from the dark ages into a more tolerant society, even if it takes them thousands of years. Circle the waggons! Stop immigration. Do not use Israel as an offering to the crocodiles in the hope they'll eat you last.

Daniel is the sand very deep in Tel Aviv so you and others like you can comfortably bury your heads in it. Keep up your ideological view of the world and when Israel falls you will be allowed to carry on partying and shopping in Tel Aviv, I am sure and you may find it a surprise that Europe is in excatly the same quagm ire too when you try to run here. Because the same idiots like you run things here too.

Arabs are just replacing the older, complacent generation of tyrants with a younger, more violent generation of tyrants.

This article was going to be fair, but the last sentence is racist. The Arab world has so far been incapable of democracy because the democratic west won't let it. This unique revolution, not caused by islamists or western interests in oil, will hopefully prove you wrong. To achieve that goal, it deserves all the help it can get, and it would have been nice if that help also came from you.

If what Israel has is democracy, then Tunisian deserve something better.

Your vision is utopian. You have lived with a silver spoon in your mouth, and have no idea what you are complaining about and little appreciation for what you have. Yes, there are power structures. On which planet won't you see power elites? There is one heck of a big difference in just the fact that Israel, USA, Canada and EU nations actually are able to change their imperfect governments. I won't hold my breath for the "perfect" system to come along. Count your blessings, love your country. What a concept! Show a little gratitude for the conditions your parents' generation fought for, even though you obviously wouldn't.

Unfortunately, the world grows smaller by the day. Economic & military necessity require more "pro-active" approach.

a democracy. Moshe

Islam and democracy are incompatible, unsuitable bedfellows. It will never happen.

true, and it didnt in western countries either. it was a long hard process, with insights gained through decades of oppression and bloodshed. but its the only way to get there - by insight. democracy cant be "imposed"... imo, arab people dont want a democracy. and its ok, because there are lots of constellations which are more suitable and feasible for them... when thinking about the degenerated society in egypt, which reflects in racism, sexism, violence then its core, imo, stems from the way the country "is run": it doesnt respect its people. they feel like dirt. and so their social values adjust... a countries constitution, its laws, its police, its army, its economy, education system etc etc - every single institution as well as the governing one must respect, that people do have their say and listen to them. they all must have their share in education, econonmy, and there must be a social system. people must feel respected by their country and in their country. and they must also feel, that their neighbour, e.g. a handicapped, a minority in some way, someone they despise, is respected in the same way. this latter is very important, because it "confirms" the system and gives safety and trust. how to do this ? implement the laws accordingly - covering education, economy, judiciary etc... and have it enforced - if necessary by all means. maybe the arab league can develop such a thing: laws and requirements for an arab country, to treat its people as humans, as equal and just.

Nice Intro..but you did not explain the reasons behind the Arab's Inability to produce democracy, neither did you discuss whom are the 'old guard' that you refer to. while i do agree with what has been said, further evidence is needed to support that claims made in the article.

It is time that France step in and help Tunisia get out of this mess. If this does not happen, we can soon look at Tunisia as one more Islamic republic. Democracy? What a joke.

shame on the corrupt and inept Muslim Government who brought the country to its present state.

When it comes to deriving lessons, Mr. Peri is weak and quick to generalize. How do you classify Lebanon, the PA and Iraq? Whether you like or hate Hamas, Hezbollah or parties in Iraq, the polls reflect the political pluralism in these states/areas.

An optimist will see the cup as half full, and a pessimist will see it as half empty. Because I'm not like you Mrs Perry , I'd like to be optimistic and although I know in advance that the world will not permit to the revolutions of the Arab world to evolve and survive, but the bright spot in the Tunisians revolution , that the Arab peoples are able to bring down dictatorships when they have the desire, without the need to ally with the West to help them . The Problem not in the Dictatorship , it's on the Nation i think.... they have to change from themselves if they seeking better life and change . P.S: All "Israel's" allies and friends in the Arab world, at least are dictators, our well known proverb says Tell me who your friends are and i will tell you who you are !!! sp plz Smadar Peri explain more in the next article why It's sad experience for you ?!!!!!!!!!!!

Tunisians would undoubtably be thrilled to profit from a western democrization in Iraqi style.

Today, I woke up and read this beautiful piece of Israeli journalism. I must say I am delighted. This is just another prove that the very existence of Israel is based on dictatorship, poverty and backwardness of its Arab neighbours. Of course, dictatorship, poverty and backwardness are not natural conditions. The human race, which includes Arabs, has always moved away from these conditions because democracy, freedom and dignity are natural orders. It will be quite interesting to see how Israel will cope with democracies in the Arab world. By the way, this article shows a very racist view. Again, I did not expect anything else from a country like Israel.

Racist or not that is the truth, the Arab world is not familiar with what real democracy is all about. They don't grasp democracy and basic human rights as we do - Hence they aren't able to really form real and stable democracy. One very good reason for it is the religious coercion in the Islam. You can call it racism, but it merely based on sad facts.

"sad experience shows us that the Arab world is incapable of producing a new spirit and is unable to establish a democracy for itself. " Experience can't prove something will never happen. Experience just shows what is more likely to happen Your take on facts is interesting, although debatable, but at least it is informed. But your conclusion is in no way logically related to the rest of the article, and is a logical fallacy in itself.

Before the French Revolution started, France was not familiar with democracy either. But your thoughts are not logical at all. If you say that Arabs do not grasp democracy, then I ask you what else do you they grasp?? Obviously, they do not grasp dicatorship. Otherwise, they would have not toppled Ben Ali. What I am trying to say is that every human being, no matter what race, can not live under dictatorship for ever. Besides, it is really a pitty that Israel has always used its "democracy" as a justification for the violation of human rights. How many times did we hear that Israeli politicians justified the killings of Palestinians by saying that they are the only democracy in the middle east?? Johnny Cage

The people of Tunisia risked their lives and took to the streets for a say in their government. The Saudis are liberalizing, Iraq's democracy is ugly but they are holding elections, even the PA makes a show of appearing to try to take into account their people's desires. I give the Iranian regime, at most two years and then there will be elections. The event in Tunisia show that the status quo does not have to be accepted and there is something better than despotism. If I were an Arab leader, I would be VERY nervous. And I say this as a card carrying neocon- democracies do not go to war against other democracies.

the reason democracy will not succeed in the Arab states it's because it's against the culture. Islam is about submission and democracy is about personal freedom. You want democracy to succeed the Arabs have to change their educational system....At the same time if you want peace between Palestinians and Israel, the incitement against Christians and Jews has to stop in the Arab educational system. CAN YOU DO THAT?................

#24 was hinting that Israel has been working on dictatorship, poverty in its Arab neighborhood. Since the 2006 war on Lebanon we haven't heard from Proud Israelis. It seems that a country like Israel needs often pangs on its head.