Opinion  Nahum Barnea
In the land of sin and hatred
Nahum Barnea
Published: 06.01.14, 23:57
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21 Talkbacks for this article
1. Swap Nahum Barnea for Greater Israel. He belongs in Arabia.
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (01.07.14)
2. Sad but true
Daniel   (01.07.14)
Unfortunately, this op-ed is spot-on. Racism and incitement is far too common everywhere. Just look at the talkback at this site. Some users are urging us to drive out all Palestinians and then complain about Palestinians who want to drive out us. The same users heap abuse and slander at the English and the French, then lament loudly if someone in England or France does the same about us. So yes, there are unfortunately those that incite against others everywhere. A pretty good rule of thumb is this, whenever you write about another people or another country "If you'd find it racist if the same was said about Jews or about Israel, then you're an equally big racist yourself". While most people are decent, everywhere, the haters usually hang around Internet forums. That's why they appear numerous, though all elections show them to just be a tiny fringe group. Fortunately.
3. Nachum Barnea drivel!
Moshe Cohen ,   Raanana, Israel   (01.07.14)
Nachum Barnea, I cannot remember ever reading bigger drivel than this! Your logic is warped, and what do you mean by "peace stained by hatred" - have you any idea of the risks of droppng our guard? How does an educated intelligent person like you produce such nonsense? Do you want peace so much that you are prepared to commit sucide?
4. Clever, insightful, focused: Barnea is pleasure to read.
Michael ,   California, USA   (01.07.14)
The land of sin and hatred is huge and it contains both Arabs and Israelis. After so many years of fighting, the most logical question is "who is smarter and will stop accusing the other side first?" I know who -- Nahum Barnea and John Kerry.
5. #1, Right Stevie...!
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (01.07.14)
6. Lest we forget
Norbus ,   JERUSALEM   (01.07.14)
Moses who gave Jews laws the world imitated, did not make them up in a vacuum, nor compile them from an electronic database. He would have noted the Jewish culture and that of those around them. Jews are in trouble as we try to act Civil when Arabs only understand an eye for an eye. a law of Moses we forgot. Arabs only understand power and respect force. We can co-exist if we apply an eye for an eye in our dealings
7. Barnea completely misses the point about racism.
rachel ,   Tel Aviv Israel   (01.07.14)
The Palestinians are engaging in state-sponsored racism whereas Israeli Jews aren't. There is a huge difference between these two points. Palestinian children are taught we are dogs or sub-human and that we do not or should not exist. Their cartoons directed at children depict us in the most vile ways imaginable. There are no public schools in Israel that engage in this sort of racism. I can't say the same for private religious institutions, but they should be regulated by the state to ensure they are not turning out racist yeshiva students. MEMRI and Palwatch do yeoman's work translating the crap that comes out of Palestinian schools, textbooks and its government. Racism starts with children and it can be ended with them, as well.
8. #1 And you belong in North Korea
(01.07.14)
9. Thank God for Nahum Barnea
Joe Asfoor ,   Burke, USA   (01.07.14)
Thank God , a million times, for people like Nahum Barnea who have the moral courage to look at both sides of the street before crossing the narrow lanes of the Israeli-Arab relations.Thank God a million times for people like Nahum Barnea found in all nations of the earth, because without them we would have forgotten what the meaning of humanity is all about!
10. It's true but Jews have Suffered More.
Zechariah   (01.07.14)
What Barnea says its true but the Jews have suffered more .The Shoah Broke it preceded by the Pale of Settlement and other Massacres .Not that the Jews are International Socialist Revolutionaries Clear of class and race Hate even Humanitarians but no one practically is .Because life is War.
11. Incitement only stops when there are no buyers
Shachar ,   Eilat   (01.07.14)
The religious also incite their children against the non-religious with a swathe of terrible lies. It is a way of controlling your public, holding on to power. This only stops when the public is smart enough to stop buying the lies.
12. Right but essentially Wrong So unfair.
Shalom Freedman ,   Jerusalem Israel   (01.07.14)
There is some truth in what Barnea says. There is an ugly side to our relation to the other side. But it is not official policy. It is not a major tool for undermining existence. It is the sin of a few and not the general mindset of the whole society. So Barnea is right to point out that we do have faults, but he is wrong in his major contention.
13. Daniel #2
A Jerusalemite ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (01.07.14)
Thank you for expressing my ideas so clearly. Too many Israelis don't recognize our own racism in word and action. Incitement runs both ways.
14. To # 2 - Spot On!
James Loughton ,   USA   (01.07.14)
Thank you for pointing this out.
15. is quantity quality?
(01.07.14)
Is a spray painting a slogan the same as butchering a child? Is one rocket the same as a thousand? Barnea finds Israel more racist than her enemies, that is his right, but facts are against him. No Arab wants to emigrate from Israel or lose Israel citizenship. Instead, Arabs clamor to get Israeli citizenship. So while Barnea congratulates himself on a clever column, reality proves that he is wrong.
16. Something to be read
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (01.07.14)
And ignored because it is so wrong and stupid. Yes we have racists here - just like anywhere. Yet the Arabs call for our genocide - that is not being done in Israel. There are people that paint racist slogans - but not tear people apart with their bare hands and brag about murdering little children. Yes some people throw rocks - but none are firing rockets at cities. Yes we have issues - so does every other country. Compared to our neighboring thugs - well there is no comparison - they are no different than their Nazi friends
17. jews are chosen, can do no wrong.
  (01.07.14)
18. #8, no name, no country moron doesn't belong on this planet.
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (01.07.14)
19. Semitic discrimination against non-Jews breeds anti-Semitism
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (01.07.14)
1, 18, not mine.
20. Thank you, Daniel #2
sharpshin ,   USA   (01.07.14)
If we condemn hate speech about Jews, we also should condemn hate speech BY Jews. I have been appalled at what I have read on Israeli web sites like this in my year-long effort to understand the mindset of the Israeli people. I hope you are right about this being a "tiny fringe."
21. #17,Ahmed,Jews are not chosen but selected to perform a task
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (01.08.14)
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