Opinion  Others
The Lieberman paradox
Rada Jaber
Published: 27.10.06, 08:40
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1. Same rubbish as usual
Julian ,   Australia   (10.27.06)
"Lieberman recognized a yearning on the part of the Jewish majority for use of massive force in resolving the issues at hand."....Where does Rada get his assertion that the majority of Jews support the use of "massive force" against the Arab Israelis. Of course, the Arab Israelis would never in any way support the use of any force....Jew=Bad People.....Arabs=Good People
2. Another day, Another Lieberman-bashing article
What else is new ,   @ YNET?   (10.27.06)
3. Living with Arabs
Yitzi ,   Jewish Israel   (10.27.06)
Rada Jaber should try setting up her practice in Ramalla. If Rada Jaber were to move to Ramalla it would be a real demonstaration her putting her money where her mouth is. It would take about 30 minutes for her Arab friends to find her, rape and lynch her as an expression of their willingness to live alonside Jews in peace. (pieces) Liberal socialists are the stupidest people on earth.
4. why is it bad to be anti-arab, but not anti-jew/anti-israel?
mike ,   israel (formerly usa   (10.27.06)
why is lieberman bad for declaring his "hostility towards the Arab Israeli population" and "racism", which israeli arabs' (most specifically the muslim population) declared hostility toward israel and their racism is tolerated? everything lieberman says, if the term "israeli arabs" is replaced with "jews/israelis", is the exact same as what the muslims say. read the article and replace "lieberman" with "arab leaders" and replace "arabs" with "jews", the result is the same. if anyone can explain why there is a double standard here, i'd like to hear it because arabs' cries about lieberman ring completely hollow.
5. Rada, don't generalize
Logic ,   Israel   (10.27.06)
"Lieberman's aggressive 'proposals' regarding Israeli Arabs intentionally use the Jewish majority's feelings; namely, preference for a Jewish State without Arab presence. " Jews are always arguing amongst themselves. Why lump them all together as thinking the same thing? Only an extremist doesn't want any Arabs here. "Israeli Arabs will not able to live under control and mastery for much longer..." Control? Mastery? You're talking about citizens of the country with full health and social services benefits. Yes, there are discriminatrion issues that need to be rectified, but everyone knows that the Triangle region would rather be part of Israel than part of the PA. Therefore, your "control" and "mastery" theory goes down the drain.
6. Aren't they tired?
Angry Man ,   Sderot,Israel   (10.27.06)
This became ridiculous. Seriously,im going to see this kind of crap on Y-NET every day now?
7. Appeasement and Co-existence, good choice of words
Stephen Shayes ,   Washington, DC   (10.27.06)
"In both these events the Arab population is no doubt wondering whether Israel is headed towards appeasement and co-existence, or the continuation of alienation and discrimination. " Classic now even the Arabs are admitting that by submitting to co-existence Israel would have to appease the Arabs. Funny thing however is that the word "appeasement" does not have a good history in western civilization. It is when the West decided to submit to every demand of the Nazis and then paid for it in millions of lives. Lets not make the mistake again. No appeasement and no "coexistence" that the Arabs would want. True coexistence can only happen when Arabs realize that this nation is of Jews and for Jews(kind of like France is for the French, not the North Africans).
8. saying the truth
Greg ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (10.27.06)
The main point Mr. Jaber fails to understand is that Lieberman says what a majority of Israelis think and are just afraid to say. With the exception of the extreme left, most of Israel would like to see some sort of separation. Lieberman gives voice to this point of view
9. racism towards Lieberman
mordechai ,   jerusalem, Israel   (10.27.06)
It's interesting to see the writer do, exactly what she accuses Lieberman of doing. As someone who does not believe Yisrael Beitanu should enter this govermnment, I am offended by the writer's desire to delegitimize a large sector of society simply because they have different ideas than hers.
10. Lieberman Is A Jewish National Socialist
World Citizen ,   the world   (10.27.06)
And if the majority of the Israelis agreed with him so are they. How strange is is to hear and see the constant whining on this site about anti-semitism and the holocaust and to then see the pro-comments about this pathetic and dangerous man. And now he is part of Olmert's government. We, in the civilized West, did not think it could get any worse than Netanyahu and Sharon. Now we know better.
11. Shame on yoy Yedioth
Avi Ben-Zvi ,   Tel Aviv   (10.27.06)
The media is now, officially, on a Lieberman hunt. He is not getting anything close to a fair trial. Yediot's second consecutive article, without any factual basis, just baseless attacks that any college logic/critical thinking student could tear apart. But there is hidden truth in much of these pieces and that is that Lieberman, as both writers have stated, is bringing vital issues to the forefront. I guess they would just rather they be kept dormant in a closet..shame on them, this is not journalism but rhetoric and attack without justified criticism. They hate you Avigdor, because they fear the world favor more than you fear the terrorists at your door. Count on me as at least one Tel Aviv resident (Dizengoff and Frishman) who will be supporting you in your upcoming moral war with Israel's ignorant insecure leftist elite.
12. Do you know Mr. Lieberman?
Anna ,   Canada   (10.27.06)
Do you know Mr. Lieberman?Please read this article: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/780037.html Ynet is staging the political war against Lieberman. Only in two last days I read 2 articles accusing Lieberman being fascist and racist. Where is the proof? Aren’t we sick and tired of doing nothing to resolve the completely idiotic situation when Arabs MKs is allowed to visit the hostile countries and discuss the issues during and after the Second Lebanon War? It looks like there is a government inside the government. Isn’t it some parallel with Hezbollah and Lebanon? But at least they are all Arabs. Any way I am agree with Rada Jaber: Arabs will finally have to make their decision: or they are loyal citizens of the democratic society and ready for co-existence, or they are spies and traitors who provide the enemies of the State of Israel with the inside strategic information and sabotage every step taken by Jews for improvements in the relationship.
13. As an Israeli-Arab...
Rami ,   Nazareth, Israel   (10.27.06)
I agree that something good might come out of including Liberman in the gvernment. I hope it does bring the issues of co-existance to the forfront of the national debate and hopefully once and for all the status of Israeli-Arabs and their relationship with the Jewih state will be decided. I'm very positive that we all can live together in peace.
14. The fact that Arabs oppose him, makes me support him
RA   (10.27.06)
15. Is Separation Racist?
Claude ,   Chicago USA   (10.27.06)
I believe that Israel is a Jewish State first and a democracy second. Is separation racist if Israeli Arabs do not recognize Israel's right to exist? Is separation racist if Israel's survival as a Jewish State depends on it and land for peace, war, unilateralism plans have failed? If Israeli Arabs were in control, what rights would Jews have?
16. How can we not live in peace, when you elect MKs
Daniel   (10.27.06)
that support groups created for one purpose and one purpose only, the destruction of our state?
17. 10 I think your definition of the civilized
freedom ,   canada   (10.27.06)
world comes from the dazed and confused in Iran. This guy is the best thing in my book to happen to Israel lately, certainly not because of his policies, which I dont care for that much. But because my bet is that he will move the knesset towards dissolution and new elections and the voters hopefully removing Olmert and co.
18. Lieberman/Jaber :On appeasement and co-existence.
Isaac Haskiya ,   Roskilde-Denmark   (10.27.06)
Any Israeli, with his mind in the right place, after all the bitter experiences of the last 60 years- at least-, must accept the idea that a separation between Arabs and Jews is necessary. Any Arab must do the same.Is there any other way that can work?
19. Israeli Society seems confused
Foley ,   Manchester, England   (10.27.06)
Israel is once again at the cross roads. Trust Lieberman to make them more secure through tough tactics, or to give some dove a chance to negotiate pand for peace. Land is something that Israelis do not want to give up; and aggrasive measures is something that will most certainly invite more wars from neighbours. Israeli society is once again unsure what to do. Hamas and Hezbollah seems to be getting their way. Israel can do nothing to defeat them. It has lost its military deterrant. It has tried to give powers to its hawks and then to doves. Both have failed Israel. Israel is on the verge of collapse. It can be bombed any time. 20,000 missiles point at Tel Aviv on its northern border. Suicide bombers are ready to storm from the south. Iran is ready to nuke Jerusalem. US is thinking of abdoning its long ally because it has caused more headache than benefit. Europeans always condemn Israel as racist. The Wall is hated all over the world. Israel is very confused. It needs a serious look at its morals.
20. Nr.10 World citizen in the Civilized West.
Isaac Haskiya ,   Roskilde-Denmark   (10.27.06)
Begin by writing under your true name and show us your mettle. Continue by not meddling in the affairs of a nation that you are not a member of. Neither Natanyahu nor Sharon are any business of yours. Stop playing the part of the suffering conscience of the world. You are far too inexperienced, ignorant and naive. What you call the Civilized West has, very often, been a disaster for us, Jews. Brush your own teeth when you´ve eaten. Israel will take care of its own hygiene.
21. Lieberman, a threat to the planet earth !
Marcel Abel ,   (France)   (10.28.06)
Even more disturbing than the silence from London at [these] developments, and the collusion of Washington, is the entry into the Israeli government of Avigdor Lieberman, as deputy prime minister. Born in Moldova, Lieberman, a burly 48-year-old, came to Israel at the age of 20. He is the leader of the far-right Yisrael Beitenu ("Israel Our Home") a party composed mainly of Russian immigrants. Best known for having recommended flooding Egypt by bombing the Aswan Dam, he is an ardent champion of the settlers and opposes any withdrawal from Palestinian territory. His solution is the "transfer" of Arabs out of Israel so as to create an ethnically pure country. He has advocated death for any Arab members of the Knesset who dare to meet members of Hezbollah or Hamas. In any truly democratic country he would be denounced and shunned as a dangerous fascist. Instead, Lieberman is to be given the job of formulating Israeli policy regarding the "strategic threat" facing the country - a code word for Iran's nuclear activities. As Haaretz, the left-of- center Israeli daily, commented: "The choice of the most unrestrained and irresponsible man around for this job constitutes a strategic threat in its own right." The fact that Lieberman will have access to Israel's atomic secrets - and will serve in fact as a sort of super-defense minister - must be a source of considerable anxiety, seeing that Israeli leaders and commentators have repeatedly hinted that if the United States fails to strike Iran, Israel may feel compelled to do so. With Lieberman's entry into the government, the Israeli- Iranian confrontation, one of the most dangerous in a volatile region, will be ratcheted up a notch or two. The Labor Party leader, Amir Peretz - already a huge disappointment to the left for his bellicose policies in Lebanon and Gaza - seems quite happy to sit at the same cabinet table with a notorious racist. With the world's attention focused on the unfolding disaster in Iraq, on the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and on how to moderate Iran's nuclear ambitions - three problems for which no credible solutions have yet been proposed - the Palestinians continue to bleed, starve and suffer unimaginable humiliations and hardships under Israel's pitiless rule. (Patrick Seale, a leading British writer on the Middle East, is the author of "The Struggle for Syria," "Assad of Syria: The Struggle for the Middle East" and "Abu Nidal: A Gun for Hire." Distributed by Agence Global).
22. The Arabs can't have it both ways.
Marty ,   USA   (10.28.06)
You guys will have to make up your mind. If you expect jews to be expelled from their homes then you should expect the same treatment. If you want to stay then the Jews will stay as well. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Its just the way it is. Get used to it.
23. What is this 'majority' of which author speaks?
NL ,   Israel   (10.28.06)
"Lieberman recognized a yearning on the part of the Jewish majority for use of massive force in resolving the issues at hand." Aren't a lawyer's inflammatory statements at least supposed to have a factual basis? Yes, perhaps because of the inherent difficulty of loyalty of the Arab-Israelis (as witnessed by MKs visiting Syria, suggesting to Hamas members to kidnap soldiers, open support in papers and rallies for the intifada, etc) many Israelis would prefer to have a more ethnically-Jewish population because it would be simpler. That merely means that they prefer the problem (conflicts of loyalty) didn't exist. It does not, ipso facto, mean that they favor removing the Arabs in practice and certainly not that they favor doing so with force. Based on what survey is the author making this and other overgeneralized and prejudicial statements in his article? You know what surveys do exist? The ones repeatedly showing that over 60 percent (and sometimes higher than 70 percent) of Palestinians support violent resistance and suicide bombing. If I recall correctly, there was even more than one survey done showing a disturbingly large number of Arab Israelis (around 40 percent, if I recall correctly) supporting the Palestinians' violent resistance. If actual surveys were taken of Jewish Israelis regarding using force to remove Arab Israelis, I'd love to see them/hear of them. And, if they do exist, examine who the sample demographic was. Shame on you, Rada Jaber. As a lawyer, you should know how to formulate a fact-based argument.
24. #16 - your post makes no sense - please reread and repost !
redmike ,   tel aviv & london   (10.28.06)
who is the 'you' that elects MKs ? which groups ? Which 'our' State ? this might all be clear to you but not to others. Regards, Michael
25. #21 - not a cause of anxiety for me - I'm sleeping better !
redmike ,   tel aviv & london   (10.28.06)
you are posting from France - a country that is in its death throes as we have known it historically and no one there apparently has the balls to take any action. If France’s democracy remains unchanged for another 15 years then it will become an Islamic country governed by Sharia. Same goes for Holland and Belgium and maybe Spain. Let's see how they and you handle it ? The world has changed and democracies must change. We now have Islam doing its upmost to take over the free world. It is using a country's democracy to overthrow the host country. Which would you prefer, rule by Sharia or a change in democracy ? I much prefer Lieberman and a change in democracy !
26. Y-net readers..
Connie ,   VA, USA   (10.28.06)
If you want more information and background on Lieberman, go to Jerusalem Post. Columnist Caroline Glick has an article titled "What Lieberman Wants". To be more informed I read both Y-net and the JP.
27. Lieberman has my vote 100%
(10.28.06)
28. #19 you've got it backwards
sheri ,   rockville usa   (10.28.06)
Giving up land is what didn't work (Lebanon, Gaza). That's why Israel moves to the right every time someone starts a war with them. They voted in Kadima so that they COULD give up the W.B.. They'd be nuts to give up the security in the W.B. with it missle distance from their biggest cities. It's not Israel that needs to look at it's morals. It's those who attack her & suffer their own people just for it. If the hawks & doves haven't worked - you have to look at why -- it's the other side!!!!! The US is not even looking at giving up Israel as an ally, Europeans can't speak from their hearts with all the rage in their mists. Israel is as strong as ever. Just can't defeat those who would hide behind civilians yet because it would cost too much civilian life in Israel's eyes. But if push comes to shove, THEY will stand up for themselves militarily. (Yep, even Arab life has value in Israeli eyes.)
29. #21 Don't forget the rest of the threat
sheri ,   rockville usa   (10.28.06)
If you're going to write so much about the threat of Lieberman, don't forget the threat that scared the Israeli g'vt so much into bringing in the far right - The constant Arab hate & acts to destroy Israel. Israel's rule is not at all pitiless unless you believe every piece of proganda & nonsense that gets published. Most of it, when I've researched down to the facts, wasn't anywhere near true. No one has credible solutions. So instead of holding Israel responsible for solving Arabs & Palestinian radical hate -- think of a working solution -- and publish it here!!! Be part of the solution, not just one more blaming attacker of others. For instance, how to you recommend France fix France's problems.
30. lieberman
isiaiah   (10.29.06)
he has one practical policy swapping territory and a jewish state and palestinian state willing to live in peace with the jews based on the 1967 areas is practical. Israel went to war and is armed to obliterate the amalekite within islam but the jews love peace
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