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Knesset OK's new Citizenship Act; Arabs cry 'fascism'
Roni Sofer
Published: 28.03.11, 23:24
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30 Talkbacks for this article
1. Methinks
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (03.28.11)
the Arabs doth protest too much. One wonders why ....
2. Stupid statement
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (03.28.11)
"Even when a person is executed in the US – his citizenship is not revoked." No, but those convicted of a felony do lose their right to vote. Forever. Since the cornerstone of democracy is one's right to vote, you can argue that convicted felons in the United States lose considerably more than their citizenship -- they lose the right to participate in a meaningful way in the democratic process.
3. Madness
Abed ,   Nazareth, Israel   (03.28.11)
These idiots don't belong in the knesset. If an Egyptian or Syrian defected or gave intelligence to Israel during wartime, not only would they be executed, they would probably be brutally tortured beforehand. A state enacting legislation to protect itself from people trying to it harm from within is not fascism. Most reasonable countries have similar laws.
4. long overdue
zionist forever   (03.28.11)
Whats the big objection, if you don't commit a crime then you don't get punished just same as only people who have committed crimes go to prison. Prehaps his real worry is he sees terror as a right of arab citizens and we are revoking their rights if we introduce bills like this. Sadly it doesn't go far enough because only people with dual citizenship can have their Israeli citizenship fully revoked in the case of Israeli natives its only kind of downgraded in status and they loose rights such welfare etc. If Jamal Zahalka is saying you can't revoke anybodies citizenship becase its illegal under international law then tell that to Abdullah of Jordan. He is revoking the citizenship of thousands of palestinians who do hold full Jordanian citizenship because he is trying to avoid a Jordan is Palestine situation, An arab state does it well nobody comes out demanding their cirizenshio is reinstated. Only in Israel are we expected arabs to be allowed to get away with what the hell the want. The High Court allowing Bishra to continue receiving his pension is a disgusting decision which shows just how much the left influence the decision making. The only reason Bishra was never indicted was because he ran off to Jordan to escape justice. We allow him to go on the run so he can escape punishment and we pay him. The courts should at the very least made a compromise like his money would be suspended and if he returns, stands trial and is found innocent all the backpay is given to him and if he is guilty he looses it full stop.
5. Thank you Mr. Lieberman
Israelit ,   Israel   (03.29.11)
Finally a politician who has Israel's interest at heart.
6. good move
fad egypt   (03.29.11)
this law is better than the law of citizenship for recognition of israel as a jewish state because if someone recognized israel as a jewish state and granted the citizenship but he acted against the identity of the state and collabrated with the enemy like bishara so the law is useless but this law is different and is more democratic because i believe that any citizen is not obligated to recognize the identity of the state but he is obligated to respect that identity and to act according to that respect shalom
7. Citizenship Act - Great news !
DT ,   TA Israel   (03.29.11)
That should get rid of a few Arab MK's should it not !?
8. Arab MK is Wrong
Hammer ,   NY, NY   (03.29.11)
It is NOT a violation of international law to revoke citizenship in any country. Since he claimed that "even in the US they don't revoke citizenship"-- Really? Then explain how it is possible that John Demjanjuk, Fedor Fedorenko, Arthur Rudolph, etc. all had their citizenship revoked?
9. Fascist!??? Everyone has this law!
EZ ,   US   (03.29.11)
What the heck!? R these Arab MK's serious? Any citizen in the "free world" or "civilized" world (i.e.: those NOT authoritarian dictatorships) has the same law on the books! How idiotic and hypocritical these Arab MK's are!!! Ofcourse you can lose the right to citizenship! Heck, if you murder someone (or committ a much smaller offense in an Arab country) they take your life away! What's the real argument here? It's aimed at Arab? Why? Because they're the most likely to commit these offenses? Hmmmm...makes you wonder who is really racist, fascit and prejudice! As if the Arabs deserve "separate" laws? LOL! Ahhh yes! That's it isn't it? They want EVERYTHING to benefit THEM!? Uh...don't these boneheads realize it applies to Jews as well? Machers. Talk about a special interest group! (or should I say: "special needs" ).
10. thanking mr lieberman
paulo ,   brazil   (03.29.11)
Putting you in his goverment is the best thing Bibi has done so far...
11. Not enough
Frank ,   Canada   (03.29.11)
These people must be expelled from Israel. They must make a choice: being Israeli or Jihadist.
12. Way to go!!
Gefen   (03.29.11)
This is a great step!! Israel should have done this long time ago. These Arab MKs live in Israel, get all the benefits and comforts which they can never ever dream of in an Arab country and they participate in events and support people who want to see the destruction of the state of Israel. And by the way, JPost doesn't post many of my comments anymore. Maybe it's becoming the next left wing Ha'aretz. Ynet is the only one we can trust!!
13. wrong. it tells all israeli's behave responsibly, choose
ralph   (03.29.11)
your politicians wisely, if you are not jewish, nor zionist you still have the opportunity and responsibility to be a civil citizen with civil responsibilities and obligations. if you are an israeli arab stop being led by the nose by arab politicians who need you to act powerless and outside the system so they steal your money and not have to do anything responsible. they steal from you and the state and will tell you anything so long as you will remain unthinking and powerless. take responsibility for yourself and join in the israeli society contribute and make demands. but realize you will got nothing from the state if you do not contribute and act as a parasite and elect politicians who only suck and give nothing back.
14. They are getting ready for September
Yoav ,   Vancouver   (03.29.11)
I think its a good move. You see when there ever is a Palestinian state I think what they will do is assign each Arab living in Israel a Palestinian citizenship. And then they will simply ship them off. One by one. The more noise they make, the more of them will go. Until we have a true two state solution, with ALL of the Arabs in one state, and ALL of the Jews in the other. And of course, the Israeli military controlling both.
15. Baby doesn't cry: baby doesn't eat- let them holler!!
tom ,   tel aviv   (03.29.11)
16. The God of Israel...
Baruch Pinhas ,   Israel   (03.29.11)
..Is not smiling down upon us today or in any of these days. The God of Israel hides in shame from us for what we are doing and what we have become. We daily traduce the Mitzvot and God has left us to our fate.
17. The only one vaguely questionable
Danny   (03.29.11)
is "acts detrimental to the State's sovereignty", what does that mean?
18. Knesset OK's new Citizenship Act
S G ,   Norway   (03.29.11)
Numbers 33:55 "But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell."
19. Good Job. Kick out the Jew Haters now with the arubs !
Moshe ,   Usa   (03.29.11)
All of them. Moshe
20. it is about a time
bob ,   canada   (03.29.11)
this a a time to stop BS and start to live in a real world: traitors have no right to be israeli citizens, to bad for some arab MK's who used to use democracy as a hepless whore.
21. # 17
Jules   (03.29.11)
Danny, I think it means that no "international forces" must be allowed to the territories controlled by the IDF, i.e. no-one, not the High Court, not the Defence Ministry (regardless of their political affiliations) will be allowed to impose a decision that would prevent the IDF to perform their duties.
22. Is MK Jamal Zahalka ignorant or just pretending ?
michael redbourn ,   Arad - Israel   (03.29.11)
Most countries allow for revocation of citizenship. An example: In March 2006, the United Kingdom Parliament amended the British Nationality Act of 1981, Chapter 61. Under the previous rule, the Home Secretary could deprive a person of citizenship status if that person had done anything seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the United Kingdom or a British overseas territory. The new law broadened the power of the Home Secretary, allowing him to revoke British citizenship if he is satisfied "that deprivation is conducive to the public good".
23. This is NOT "Fascism", Typical Abuser's Response
Dallas ,   Canada   (03.29.11)
The radicals' agenda, those who twist egalitarian laws to further their agenda - these are the real fascists. This is 2011. These days there is a relentless Fifth Column effort to twist 'human rights' to the point where the concept has become a farce. A simple loyalty oath in this environment is entirely appropriate, no, it's not "fascist", it's very efficacious and will go a long way to keeping order. Sorry leftists, you've done it to yourselves. You should lose your citizenship. There are soft wars all over the place now and the price of being a traitor is to be deported. Please Lieberman, be unstoppable, you can inspire the whole civilized world.
24. Kudos to the 37 courageous and loyal Knesset members
Barbara ,   Haifa Israel   (03.29.11)
Only now it also has to be decided upon if this law reaches to past traitorous acts (at least a year ago) - or if it only holds true for future acts. I would also attach a rider to the law against people who incite violent mob actions and thoughts.
25. Where were the other 72 Knesset Members?
Eric ,   Tel Aviv & NY   (03.29.11)
Why did only 43% of the Knesset members vote? Were the rest abstentions or absentees?
26. Fascist?!
Zedy   (03.29.11)
How is this fascist? It applies to Israelis, that's all the people who live in Israel.
27. Is Zoabi worse than Israelis who Call for Boycott
Thomas ,   US   (03.29.11)
Israeli Jews who live overseas (yet still hold Israeli citizenship) and those who live within Israel who call for international boycotts do more harm to Israel's sovereignty than MK Zoabi's flotilla outing. Why aren't they being put on trial? Ran Hacohen wrote an essay glorifying suicide bombers by comparing them to Samon pulling the temple down on himself and his enemies but he's a nice guy you can simply disagree with while Zoabi is a traitor for being on a sailboat. A just society doesn't have two sets of laws for two different groups of citizens.
28. about time we began acting like a confident democracy. not
ralph   (03.29.11)
like the weimar republic. we have no reason to fear stupid words like fascism, rather our actions prevent arab fascism from winning.
29. #2 Stupid Statement
Edward ,   Savannah, USA   (03.29.11)
You are really falling down on the job Sarah!!! I'd check the facts a little better before you accuse someone of making a stupid statement, it could just be you!!! Here's a little snippet that I pulled off of Wiki that you SHOULD have done before you made your comment... Today, only two states, Kentucky and Virginia, continue to impose a life-long denial of the right to vote to all citizens with a felony record, absent some extraordinary intervention by the Governor or state legislature...
30. Mozel Tov
Brazen   (03.29.11)
This only brought about by acts of subversion, and dispicable acts against Israel and its people, if one doesnt like this ammendment said person or person's should pack their bags and leave. Yella
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