Is a basic principal of phyisics, for every action there is a reaction. Racism, or its lesser cousin, intolerance of those who are different, is an effect and what must be done to correct this is to get to the cause. The cause is divided into two. Firstly, Israel is the most sectorial society in what we term Western free countries. This is simply an undeniable fact. Small urban ethnic communities, kibbutzim and community villages where intended residents are vetted before they are permitted to purchase a home and reside there. Arab, Druze and Haredim all have their separate towns and nobody mixes with them, this is mutual. Kindergartens and schools are ethnically or categorically defined, Ethiopians not accepted in this one or Sephardi not accepted in that one. Secondly, the word respect seemingly does not exist in the Hebrew language or at least the average Israeli disregards it as a meaningless quality which is superfluous in the Israeli concept of daily life. There is zero respect for public property and most people have no respect whatsoever for their fellow citizen as he goes about his daily life on the sidewalk, in the train or bus or on the road or in the mall. These are the causes and the effect is racism and intolerance. Only when these two are corrected will the effect become redundant. I fear that this will not happen, I fear that the character of our society has already been etched and that it is indelible. I say these things with a large degree of sadness as I am deeply dedicated to a country and a people for which I have great love, but to a society for which I can find no reason to love in the same way.

While I agree with the main sentiment here against racism, it is important too to remember that it is a small, specific portion of our society that is inherently racist. It is up to the rest of us to deny them the chance to practice what they preach.

Oh no Sir ! A very large and significant part of our society is stained by racism at worst, intolerance at least. This is clear as crystal in my previous post. You are one of those who are in denial, turning a blind eye.

Genetically-defined is racism. You've displaced the original and historical definition, around Monotheistic logic, with anti-historical, Euro-medieval mysticism, fables (Agadah) and superstition -- all built around racism. What do you expect?

Unfortunately you are so very right... It makes me sad to see how absolutely normal it became to be racist... people are not even aware of it anymore...

Lod: december 2012 Arabs riot against a new housing unit for hareidim Pekiin, where Jews live for 3 millenium: october 2007 Pogrom chases away the jewish inhabitants Akko, october 2008, an arab mob rampages through jewish neighbourhood Numerous racist attacks against Jews have taken place throughout Arab localities in the Galilee and in Arab areas of Jerusalem, including murders. Among the people killed in such attacks was Kristine Luken, an American tourist stabbed in a forest near Jerusalem after being seen wearing a Star of David necklace. In Jerusalem, Jews driving through Al-Issawiya have been subjected to ambushes by crowds, as was a repairman who had been hired by a resident. Emergency services vehicles have also been attacked while passing through the neighborhood. Jews who travel to the Mount of Olives also risk violence.Jews who enter or buy property in Arab areas face harassment, and Arabs who have sold property to Jews have been murdered. In 2010, an Israeli-Jewish security guard, Kochav Segal Halevi, was forced from his home in the Arab town of I'billin after a racist crowd gathered at his house, and he received death threats. Ahmed Tibi:"whoever sells his house to the Jews has sold his soul to Satan and done a despicable act"

Of the sort that Pines represents

as a society. We've welcomed all colors & shapes of Jews (and not-so-Jews) to take part in this unparalleled experiment we call Israel.If there is a more non-racist country on this god forsaken planet I'd like to know about it! We simply need time to get truly mixed/stirred and shaken : marriages of blonde Russians with Ethiopians seem the way to go! I'd love for my son to marry one, as long as she's an orphan: I don't think I could take the in-laws + 25 siblings....

who is in total denial of the reality. Mrs Pines what about the terrorists attacks from the arabs toward jews ? How do you call that ? Love ? You don't mention a single word about it. You probably have no pity for the little Adel who is struggling to survive from the act of terror she was the object. Jews have to deal with the constant threat from the arabs living in Israel . The misconduct of certain jews (so few comparatively of the daily attacks of arabs) is a mere reaction to the daily threat, we jews, have to face everyday.

It is not racism to protect ones self from those peoples that want to continue the Nazi Final Solution. It is not racism to deport those people who flood across Israel's borders illegally. It is only the radical left that uses emotionally charged words thinking their ideas are better than every one else who are the true racists.

Racial slurs by public figure should not be tolerated. Tolerance and acceptance of those who are different should be promoted and laws should be passed to fight hate crimes.

Too late, it already has won.

But please let us not trivialize the Holocaust. The Holocaust stands by itself.

What more needs to be said aside from Pines not only talks like one, but looks like one.

called Jews a disease and sub-humans. After all, she called the illegals from Africa "A cancer in our bodies". The founder of the Likud, Menahem Begin would have been disgusted! Deport them YES. Call them a disease NO! Leave that to the European, South African and American Antisemites!

israel. I found the practicers of judaism throught out the US are some of the most racist person I've met. always arrogrant and condesending. Most poster confirm this.

It's your trademark among other shortcomings ,...

The usual posts which use the term 'leftist' to denigrate any opinion critical of their own and which trivialise the Holocaust, with cheap comparisons with the behaviour of all kinds of non-Jewish people, simply underlines the concerns voiced in this article. How easy it is to deflect attention from our own behaviour through pointing the finger at others: look, it's not fair, they are worse than us, we're really good people, not like 'them'! I know I have acted unjustly towards others but sometimes I need others to make me aware of it.

and denigrating others is detrimental to human dignity, that of the recipient, and to no lesser degree, that of the donor.

I'm going to blow your minds. I am right-wing and i still think that Violent attacks against innocent Arabs is wrong. Wow! I also think that ignoring the cultural and religiously motivated behaviour trends of Arabs and Muslims is suicide.

Yes there are racists in Israel - anymore than zero is not acceptable. The racists come in all shapes, forms and religions. Jewish racists are just as bad as Muslim or Christian ones. To tar every Jew with the same brush is just as racist as what Ophir Pines-Paz claims we are.

Its not racism when you know you are superior. Its not the Jews fault that God chose them. It is what it is. The sooner everyone accepts it,the better

the writer clearly places himself amongst his european lefty paymasters, who try to minimize or nihilize the Shoa. You may have a point... you lost it making it on the shoa commemoration day and thus trying to make analogies and parallels, insulting the memory of what happened for the sake of your selfrightiouness and eu jehating paymasters!

Most Israelis act and sound decently. The new generations must abandon the bad taste in politics picked up in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. Let us adopt the Western European enlightened culture.

There a lot of racism against Jews in the World

Dear Nani. One error does not justify another. Israel is admired by true Democrats and Christians like me, around the world, exactly for her good principles and ideals. Moral strength is more important than military power. All racism blames our God Unique. Think better about it.

Should I presume Arie Karp's lynch murder by wolf pack acting Arabs in TA had no racial motivation?