The issue of elements disloyal to the State of Israel having representation in its government, and pursuing interests inimical to survival of a JEWISH State bear cafeful examination and serious discussion. When I first read that Arab Israeli suicide.bomber immediate family members received State aid funds following the bombers murderous acts, it was beyond belief. Time for a reality check - such unwarranted aid is not compassion: merely an insult to those killed and injured. Both the Tanach and Talmud indicate that only those gentiles who live in Israel at peace with Jews are to be tolerated. Is it time to get back to basics?

DONT BE AFRAID TO BE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER NORMAL COUNTRY BEING A NORMAL COUNTRY IS WHAT ISRAEL IS ALL ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO JEWS ALL OVER THE PLANET DONT APPOLOGISE WHEN YOU DO IT EITHER - YOU KNOW YOU WILL GET SH*T FOR IT FROM PEOPLE - DONT APPOLIGISE

Israel is a Jewish State. By definition this negates any claim to democracy, since Judiasm, just as Christianity and Islam are governed by a diety who set the laws and established the rules. Israel allowed the Arabs it discovered within its borders to become MKs. The propaganda value exceeded the nusance rating. Israel now is defeated. It is looking to for a quick revenge. It cannot any more lob a few bombs and claim victory over some town or city up North or down South (although it is trying) and decides to turn round and bite the Arab MKs. Do you think it is going to matter? Do you think it is going to change anything? Arab MKs do not care one hoot about the so called 'religious-democratic' foundations of Israel, and will always be. But guess what, given the enlightened culture of Israel, when expects that many Israelis feel the same way, too. It is a transient feature of the state that will disappear. And that is almost certain - and is not entirely due to the high birth rate of non-Jews. It is mostly due to the fact that religion, any religion, does not give national security, and the one that is the cause of nationa INSECURITY, will eventually be modified and then dropped. It is only then that I would include Israel in my annual visit to the old country. NC. NC

"...and to the principles outlined in the charter of independence", said Avigdor Liberman according to this article, referring to what the "loyalty oath" would contain. For your information, Neil Edmond of CAnada, this is what Israel's Declaration of Independance (http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace%20Process/Guide%20to%20the%20Peace%20Process/Declaration%20of%20Establishment%20of%20State%20of%20Israel) says. It is a vision statement that, under difficult circumstances, has been embraced by most of Israel's Jewish population and in most respects it has been achieved. Certainly, the first almost 6 decades of the state far more reflect the values of its declaration than the US's did its first 6 decades (slavery / women's rights are sore points) and I suggest you read the whole thing and then compare it to the warlike Palestinian national anthem, located at http://palestinian-national-anthem.mindbit.com/ and Israel's pacifistic national anthem located at: http://www.stateofisrael.com/anthem/ First from the Declaration of Independence: "THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL OF ITS INHABITANTS; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to ALL ITS INHABITANTS irrespective of RELIGION, RACE, or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places OF ALL RELIGIONS; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations." It also says: "WE EXTEND our hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighbourliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East." If we can't expect Israeli Arabs to declare loyalty to a Declaration of Indepedence that, contrary to the Arab hostility to Jews in the Holy Land, had a vision of a state that was HOSPITABLE to the state's Arab population, then how can we expect any Arab country to take even our own commitment to our state seriously? The drafters of Israel's Declaration of Independence truly represented Israel's hope for peace with Arabs. Especially, it represented what was thought possible with Israel's Arabs. That Arabs in Israel, with the exception of some Druze and Beduin and very few others, have given us NOTHING but heart ache and disloyalty has finally brought us to this point. Who'd have thought that "freedom of conscience" would be interpreted by Arabs as a right to undermine the state itself? Liberman, I'm for you. Liberman's stock has risen with the audacity of Israel's Arab population, who has taunted and mocked us and our values for too long. I agree wholeheartedly with Liberman, and hope to vote for a coalition that includes him soon in the next election.

1) all Israelis are to do this, not just Arabs 2) Arab MK's who refuse to sign off will be kicked out of Knesset, but there are 120 members in each party. Kicking out some will only pull others into their position, giving those who voted their party into power the same representation. This is not a move to remove representation from Arabs in the Knesset. 3) The "this country may be too small for the both of us" does not imply anything other than drawing the border so that Jews are inside Israel and Arabs, as many as possible who as a majority per village/city do not care to sign the agreement, are outside. Nobody is going to lose anything they value (homes, Israeli citizenship, jobs).

I do not agree with many aspects of the Israel Beitanu Party, particularly the almost total Russianization of it, but here he is right. In the Galilee we have a very large Israeli Arab community and relationships have mostly been good. This was marred in October 2000 with the stoning of cars at Mag'd el Kurum and the riots in Nazareth and other Arab Towns. Thind returned to "normal" over the years although many do not and still don't support Arab businesses. The Arab Community is at a cross roads. They have to show us once and for all whether they are loyal citizens or not. They must decide if statements made by some Arab Knesset Members to the foreign news media, like that of MK J’amal Zahalka’s to CNN, are the way they want to go. MK Zahalka stated that the Arab villages in the Galilee were being bombed by Hezbollah because the army had placed military installations and artillery in those villages. Anyone who knows the area around Karmiel will tell you that the Knesset Member was being extremely economical with the truth! Arab Israelis are full citizens of this country and have all the rights and obligations that all citizens of a democratic country have. The right of freedom of speech is sacred but sedition and treasonable statements in war time, when our soldiers, Jews, Druze, Christian and Muslim, are being killed and wounded and our country is being bombed, are totally unacceptable. They might be reminded that in the USA the entire Japanese Community was interned during WWII and in Britain Germans were dealt with in the same way. In both cases these were citizens of those countries. The ball is in the Arab court and they have some very serious decisions to make.

Why should they be loyal to anybody? Israeli Palestinians are the future of Israel, demographically speaking they will end up ruling the country one day. The whole 'bushesque' rhetoric of "you're either with us or against us" is completely irrelevant.

I couldnt agree more with him and I hope and pray that Israel our home will win a majority and become the main party in the Knesset. There are so many truthes in the article and for Israeli arabs, they cant have it both ways. Why should they get the benefits of being an Israeli citizen when they do not beleive in the state? As an example take the Druze, the are in the army, police, medics etc. Go to Uni and are such fantastic people. They are Israeli citizens and are fully integrated into Israel as unique citizens, respected and admired within all walks of life. why cant Israeli Arabs be the same? Or at least be prepared to help the state of Israel. If not then they should move to the PA and live with their brothers. i am making Aliyah soon and my first job will be to vote for Avigdor Lieberman and Israel our home.

Arab israelies !! This is too strange !! They are in their land and jews are foreign !! They will never change religion neither their support to Hizbullah !! If you are really democratic , you will not treat them as a second hand citizens !! You want to show the world that you are right but even your citizens deny this and consider that you are criminals !! Shame on you !!

Whether Jewish, Christian, or Arab the citizens of Israel should be loyal to the country. WHile Jews and Christians are persecuted in Arab lands, Arabs are given advantages and allowed to partake in the Government of Israel. If the Arabs choose to side with a foreign enemy then thye chould be stripped of citizenship and deported. Israel is too small a nation to be worried about the loyalties of certain groups of people. If their so proud to be Arabs let them live in Arab lands. Israel for the Israelis.

I disagree only in 2 points: "The country has the right to defend itself and its Jewish-democratic character." The country has not only the right but the OBLIGATION to defend itself and its democratic Jewish character. "Anyone who refuses to sign such declaration- 'ALLEGIANCE TO THE COUNTRY AS A JEWISH AND DEMOCRATIC STATE, TO THE NATIONAL ANTHEMN,AND TO THE PRINCIPLES OUTLINED IN THE CHARTER OF INDEPEDENCE. ALSO, EVERY ISRAELI MUST OBLIGATE TO PERFORM NATIONAL SERVICE– EITHER MILITARY OR CIVILIAN ALTERNATIVE' - is welcome to remain a permanent resident with full rights, with the exception of the right to elect and be elected." I don't agree with the above statement.I think that those who do not fulfill these requirements must leave the country,exception being made to Jewish citizens,when exceptions are required. I strongly support that Israel must have the strength to say NO to these people. ME is very big enough to accomodate arabs. Israel is less than 1% of the ME.It has the right to be 100% Jewish as it is meant ,and to fulfill its destiny the way IT CHOOSES! Arabs must go to THEIR countries to fulfill their destiny THERE,far from Jews!

Hey wake up! You are having a nightmare. Defense budget cut by BIbi.Result empty army warehouses,no training of reservists,no anti-missile systems,soldiers in elite units without shoes and bullet-proof vests,ect. What about all the rockets and missiles brought into lebanon under Ya'alon's watch. Yishai's party voted for the oslo disaster.We give child allowances to arabs,because of the hara-dim receiving it.How much money went to his party instead of the anti-missile systems we needed.How many students stay in their yeshivas instead of serving in the army? Keep your nightmares over there in the states.

Even those who, like myself, are very critical of many Israeli actions, recognise that in some ways Israel is an exemplary democratic country. This is a strength (and one that the Israelis could better publicise), not a weakness. Restricting candidacies to the Knesset would produce no benefits, except perhaps psychologically for some people. It would, however, diminish your democracy and destroy an element of genuine moral superiority.

I would sign this bill in a heart beat, not only I agree to perform national service, I would even serve in the army and put my life on the line to fight Israel’s enemies. On the other hand, I expect my country to treat me as equal in EVERY walk of life, and not do me like they do the Druze, who even though they serve in the army they are still considered 2nd class citizens. Moreover, specially to you right wingers, remember these facts: 1- The Muslim whose kids died from Katyusha attack and still praised Nasrallah, is the exception not the rule. Many more Israeli Arabs died from katyusha attacks and their families came out against Hezbollah; some even chanted against Islam itself. How come Lieberman did not mention them? 2- Regardless of the propaganda that u have been fed, according to the Shabak, the striking majority of Israeli Arabs are law abiding citizens and loyal to the state of Israel 3- If someone disagrees with you or does not share your point of view, it does not mean they are traitors and 5th column, to do this is undemocratic, it’s nothing more than an communist tactic.

Money talks! People will walk!!!!

Remove monetary and voting rights and give them limited benefits.

Peace plan must involve the Israeli Arabs as well. They need to be included and that issue must be addressed now.

Moe, You are wrong on the facts. Before 1948 they were anything but Palestinian. The Palestinians were the Jews that came there from Europe. Thats what the Brittish called Palestinian, the Arabs who lived in what is now Israel called themselves 'Arabs' or South Syrians. The 'Palestinians' term too off only after Israel was created. If you were honest about things you would know that Syria claims Lebanon as an integral part of Syria just like Kuwait was an integral part of Iraq. The Arabic spoken in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel is all 'Syrian type'. Please explain to me what the difference between 'Palesitnian' and 'Jordanian'. If there is no 'Israeli Arab' then the divition between Palestinian and Jordanian is only a few years older than that. And the Syrian split only dates back to the end of WWI. There is a famous quote from a PLO mamber that admits that there is no such thing as a 'Palestinian' at all. They are all Arabs.

You have a lot to learn. Israeli Jews have an ethos that is dependent from the Jewish one. The Arabs in Israel choose not to be part of it, in part, but the Druze prove my point and show you are dead wrong. They are not Jews and yet are integrated into the system since they chose to. your facts that Israel lost a war... show me! Israel's objective, to have the Lebanese army deploy in the south has been met. No matter what you or Nassrallah may claim, to look at Lebanon and to think that Lebanon wan it stupid. Hizbollah's objective or freeing prisners or the Shabaa farms has not happend, only by setting the goal very low at 'we survived' can they claim anything. Well guess what, Israel survived and is still actually growing economicly for this year, despite the war. So show me how Israel lost? Let alone that it is doomed. Or maybe you should just keep on smoking on that weed and dreaming up idiotic statements

Sadly it is beginning to look like Lieberman is right.

he'll be branded 'gizani racist' by the latte left... who so desperately try to be accepted as enlightened, and not to be identified as Israeli/Jewish

we have a huge problem on our hands.they hate the state.

they have already chosen.they have betrayed the state repeatedly.

all palestinians living on the border along the green line should become part of the west bank together with their villages.

Is this really how you are taught in San Francisco, to analyze politics as though it were a series of bumper stickers? I've read your comments and find them shockingly misinformed and tendentious. Not even entertaining, as some others are who oppose my views, you don't offer any basis for your beliefs. It's as if you expect that whatever Nicolaus says is some corollary to Newtonian physics. Well, Nicolaus - your opinion about democracy is, shall we say, a bit "flat earther". Next time, build up your case with a bit of forethought, common sense, contextual analysis and perhaps most important, facts. As I noted in comment 34, people like you would do well to refer to the text of Israel's declaration of independence. Unfortunately, the intentions there are not subscribed to by many of Israel's Arab community, and perhaps less so today than ever, no doubt due to the increased control of Islam as a political instrument of Saudi Arabia's and Iran's governments. The conflict changed from a political one to a religious one largely because of them. Why is this relevant? Because when you start talking about the "definition of democracy", you have to recognize several things. First, democracy is "rule by the people", meaning one person/one vote. But there are different ways that this formula is applied to making decisions, each based on the history of the area it is applied to. Next, not all democracies are completely secular, and none of them value all of humanity equally, such that all are of equal value to its citizens and nation. Rather, there are NONE who do this. So why demand this only of Israel? That Iraq, for example, has a nascent democracy that is founded on the foundation of Islamic law makes it no less of a democracy. Similarly, the Palestinians want to establish a democracy with no Jews in it at all, and somehow nobody but Jews seem to think that's problematic. That it is harder for the average citizen of hte world to become a citizen of Japan than it is to become one of Israel, is also apparently something that Israel haters like you like to overlook. Moreover, even the degree to which "one man one vote" applies varies drastically between the US, where for example the president is voted in by an electoral college, vs. some Scandenavian countries where the residents of a municipality vote in a referendum on whether to give contenders to national citizenship what they want. Does anybody doubt that the US is a democracy? So, why is it that people like you feel so entitled to rip into Israel as non-democratic because of its pretension to be a "Jewish state", when it is probably less a Jewish state in terms of its basis in the Torah's ethical outlook than the United States is (you won't find "in G-d we Trust" on Israel's coinage), and is certainly more a democratic state with its parliamentary system and nearly 2 dozen parties in parliament then any Muslim state, and which resembles far more the European states in terms of its humanistic rather than theological foundation for law than ANY Muslim state including the moderately secular state of Turkey? I mean, if Arab MK's don't "care one hoot", then perhaps we should face up to that as a fact and let Liberman try his hand at building our state, where others of a more tolerant nature failed?

Moe, Are you trying to rewrite history in your talkbacks? You seem to think Israel attacked the Arabs in 1948.. Do you need reminding that the Arabs and then 5 armies attacked Israel to drive it into the sea. Israel accepted the partition plan.. the arabs refused it

There is no society on earth with a perfect equality between everybody. For example, the status of most Ethiopian Jews is similar to what was once the case for Teimani and Morrocan Jews, but now these latter have reached the highest echelons of government and business. Soon enough, they too will rise to higher levels, as will the Druze. What is the difference between them all? Political involvement. Standing up to the plate and making changes. Declaring loudly in actions that you are part of our society. We have many Arab members of parliament and members of political parties that are NOT one of the extremist parties. If Arabs in ISrael were to support them, and not the loud mouth fanatics that want to destroy Israel, then you'd certainly get your wish. Regarding that you represent the majority, I have my doubts. I believe there are 13 seats for Arab parties, all of them highly anti-Zionist. That's about 11%, and the total Arab population, including Beduin, Christian and Druze populations, is about 20% of the total. Having at least half of all Arabs voting for parties who wish to destroy the state is not exactly what you can expect us to see as anything but alarming, Rami. I think people like you should be welcomed exactly as you and the Declaration of Independence describes. But it's not exactly like there is a way to obviously tell which of you are loyal and not - so, Liberman is proposing a way. If you were to sign the agreement, and Liberman agrees to this, you would have COMPLETE and identical rights to all else. But I still think you need to be realistic about what you can achieve as Arabs without having a political party for Arabs that is able to cooperate with Zionist parties, rather than always goading them. When you've done that, you'll be able to ensure your municipal budgets get more respect, that your population gets more respect and that you do as well. Just look at the party that Liberman is part of - it's Russian!