Opinion
In praise of a brave woman
Ray Hanania
Published: 25.09.08, 18:07
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38 Talkbacks for this article
1. OOOOH NOOOOO RAY IS BACK ))))))))))
..............DACON9   (09.25.08)
RAY WHEN MASHIACH ARRIVES YOU CANT GET TO THE ''MT OF GD'' CARRYING YOUR IDOLS clearly says it no other gods, no images no idols.. YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE A NOAHIDE ADVICE TO YOU: GET READY
2. She has no right to sit in the knesset!
jason white ,   afula,israel   (09.25.08)
Only citizens that have served in the I.D.F should sit in the knesset. Only those who served should be allowed to vote and work in the government. There are enough Christians who defended Israel and they should have a voice in the knesset.
3. I always praised this woman
Jake   (09.25.08)
who bills herself as an Arab-Israeli, not as a "Palestinian in Israel", is represented in a Zionist party, and works for the benefit of Jews and Arabs as Israeli citizens, not as "Palestinians". Plus, she is one of the least annoying Labor MK's.
4. Welcome Back Ray
Besalel ,   Kew Gardens, NY   (09.25.08)
While I will always strongly disagree with 99% of the things you say (including this unexplainable love for the vile Arafat) I appreciate your approach and respect your point of view.
5. Jason, chill already!!!
Mike ,   Tel Aviv   (09.25.08)
6. Agree with Besalel #4, Ray's a good man
Mike ,   Somewhere, OverHere   (09.25.08)
I also don't agree with a lot of what Ray writes--but nu, he's a benadam, a mensch. He's a reasonable guy with a good sense of humor. He wants what's good for Palestinians, he wants what's good for Jews.
7. Excellent!
Daniel Elias ,   Poleg   (09.25.08)
Finally thie guy write a praiseworthy article! Normally his comments are ignorant armchair opinions of an American sitting in Chicago. He has as much relevance to the Middle East as do the armchair zionist Amercan Jewish commenters. However this time he has finally made useful commentry on a region he has never lived in and has no understanding of whatsoever!
8. To #5 Mike, why should I chill?
jason white ,   afula,israel   (09.25.08)
I do not want people who have not contributed to the defense of Israel sitting in the knesset! Jewish or not! The same goes for voting. There would be a different knesset today if we had that law. I do not want anti Zionist parties deciding the fate of Israel. Hell, I think we can do without a president who was a draft dodger.
9. To 32 Jason White
Daniel Elias ,   Poleg   (09.25.08)
As far as I am concerned any citizen has a right to be a member of the Knesset if they have undergone their national service. It doesn't have to be in the IDF there is Sherut Leumi in civilian educational and health institutions etc. Just as a Jewish citizen must have either done IDF service or such Sherut Leumi the same for Non-Jews. One cannot discriminate against Jews forcing them to give up time to serve their country and undertake IDF service or Sherut Leumi and not expect the same of Non-Jewish citizens. Many religious Jewish and Non-Jewish citizens undertake IDF service or Sherut Lemi this is a basic requisite. I certainly hope that citizens like Nadia Hilou realise this there are many Israeli Arab institutions that Arab Israelis can contribute to as Sherut Leumi with no connction to the IDF. However did Nadia do her Sherut Leumi? I cannot comment. I simply do not know.
10. To talk back 1
Daniel Elias ,   Poleg   (09.25.08)
You are a deluded individual! Christian Arabs have fought and died defending our Jewish state against Islamic supremecist terror groups. I spent 2 years in Southern Lebanon with the SLA. These are our brothers and we have a common enemy that seeks to destroy us! Certain people like Ray Hanania are a little confused and need some gentle education concerning the facts on the ground in the middle East. However your comments are offensive! what have you done for Israel? I suspect very little. You're probably sitting in America like Ray Hanania eating an Oreo Cookie!
11. You seem to have forgot an important fact!
Perpetual Dream ,   Jerusalem   (09.26.08)
You didn't mention that the labor party is a zionist jewish party afterall. And again what do you mean by christain education, what is that exactly? Have you met her in person recently? It is always very easy to fool a tourist just LIKE U!
12. to #10 What is wrong with Oreos?
jason white ,   afula,israel   (09.26.08)
I just ate a box here in Afula. I served with Christians here in the I.D.F. for years. Israeli citizens. If one became p.m.,I would not mind it. But I do not want people who never served in the security forces in the knesset, civil service or voting. National service is just another way of draft dodging and should not be mentioned as the same as I.D.F service!
13. I hope the twoChristians in the Knesset are Saturday Sabbatt
Rivkah   (09.26.08)
keepers. That is the Shabbat of the Messiah they claim to follow, not Sunday.
14. An article by Ray that I actually liked!
Palestiniansareamyth ,   USA   (09.26.08)
Except for the part calling Nadia a "Palestinian" because we know that they don't exist. And for mentioning a mythical place called "Palestine" because we know that that doesn't exist either.
15. Ray, i never heard her call herself a Palstinian.
Jay33 ,   Israel   (09.26.08)
I like you sense of humor but its a shame you have to bring the bogus Palastinian contention into every article you write. You cant beat your old habits.....can you! You could be very successful if you quit the Palastinian diatribe! Ill keep reading in hope.
16. Jason please get your facts right
Sheila ,   Jerusalem Israel   (09.26.08)
Jason - you clearly have not researched your answer. The Christian community in Israel, although secure and defended by our government, is deeply threatened in the Middle East and definitely needs representation in the Knesset. This particular Member of the Knesset is caring and positive - hallevai there were more like her.
17. Good article Ray. Apologies for the racists in the forum
Yehuda ,   Israeli living in US   (09.26.08)
Ray, she is a great woman worthy writing about. Great job. Apologies for the racists who have to criticize everything you say because you are Palestinian. There are things that you say that I do not agree with, but I would be glad to contribute to her if you have a fund going on. Please post the URL in the talkback.
18. Look who you're apologizing to?
Bill ,   US   (09.26.08)
Ray once claimed on his website that Seinfeld was only funny because his mom was Syrian and it was his Arab half that gave him his talent. That's racism. There's nothing brave about this woman running for office and taking a position on issues. Israel isn't KSA. Ray's just easily impressed by whatever Arabs do.
19. to #16 Sheila, you should think a bit
jason white ,   afula,israel   (09.26.08)
We do not need people who never served in the I.D.F. sitting in the knesset. That has nothing to do with their religion. We do not need people who never defended Israel voting for a future government. I know personally Christians who served and they know what it is to defend Israel. The problem of arab Christians in the middle east has been going on for years and they are leaving. It is a problem of islamanization of the Christian religious places. They did it to the Jews and the Hindus.
20. ray can never praise anyone who "bucks the pal system" ONLY
mike ,   israel (formerly usa   (09.26.08)
even though the palestinians have much deeper and existentially suicidal problems in their society, which have everything to do with the prospects for peace and human rights, ray cannot bring himself to praise anyone who doesn't also stand against israel in some way. ray is back but he's the same old morally equivocating palestinian disfunction supporter and enabler he always was. can't say i missed ya.
21. To Jason White Afula
Daniel Elias ,   Poleg   (09.26.08)
Whilst I sympathise with your comments. I do not agree. I am a pround reserve IDF combat officer and served my regular service in Lebanon with the SLA and reserves in territories however to say all MKs have to have done army service is ridiculous. There are many constructive ways non-Jews and religious Jews or even just those not suited to military can contribute to society. In fact sherut leumi in a health institution, a school ,a matnas etc in an Arab village or arab hospital is far superior to a pkida making coffee for some fat Rasar on some base i the Negev
22. Jews should do the same and protect women and kids.
petra ,   usa   (09.26.08)
It amazes me that an Arab woman is the model for human rights of children in Israel. Good for her! May G-d grant all children freedom from harm and fear. Israel lawmakers should be embarassed that a WOMAN does the job they forgot. Children are our future and what we do to protect them, protects our future. Or NOT.
23. Fake
Abu Hijla ,   Jaljulia/London   (09.26.08)
This Ray is a fake . He is an American with a Jewish wife and Jewish children. He has never lived in the Middle East. He has made a living out of pretending to be a Palestinian. He's like Jews in America interfering and ranting nonsense they have no relationship to.Can this website not find a real Arab who lives in Palestine to commentate about news? Is this the best Ynet can do? There are many REAL Palestinians living in Palestine who can give REAL ideas about what is happenng. This Ray guy lives in Chicago! Shame on this nonsense!
24. So when we see Arab women
Dan ,   USA   (09.26.08)
elected in Arab countries then that will be when we really see progress. This is nice but not such a big deal, it is what happens in any democratic country like Israel. She faces no threats and Israelis, although bureaucratic, are not fundamentally opposed to her reforms. For now, I won't hold my breath.
25. To Rivkah 13
Steve ,   Jaffa   (09.26.08)
I'm sure you meant your comment in an offensive way, however for your general knowledge many Christians in Israel, for example the main Catholic Church in Jaffa do infact observe Saturday as their Sabbath out of convenience for the working week, since in Israel Sunday is a normal working day.
26. 10# Don't knock oreo cookies...Yuuumeeee!
Steven Wilson ,   Anchorage, Alaska   (09.27.08)
Especially with ice cream.
27. to #21 I never said all m.k.s served!
jason white ,   afula,israel   (09.27.08)
The unelected pres of Israel never served. I am not talking about the S.L.A. I am talking about Christians in the I.D.F. Sherut leumi is not the I.D.F. It is another way to avoid army service. If someone served in the army,then they can sit in the knesset. If they also do reserve duty when they are m.k.s then that is fair. I do not want people who never served as soldiers,even if they make coffee for some fat sergeant major voting or getting a government job. or going to university here.
28. #23; All so-called Palestinians are fake.
Palestiniansareamyth ,   USA   (09.27.08)
Because they don't exist! The real Palestinians are Jews because Palestine is what Israel was re-named by the Romans. It has not Arab connection whatsoever. Get an education and some anti-psychotic pills!
29. To £28
Abu Hijla ,   Jaljulia/London   (09.27.08)
I note you're writing from USA. You and this ray type are the same. Two sad Americans! Why don't you go to watch Baseball and eat Hamburgers together! I'm a REAL Palestinian I'm studying in London then I'm back to my country, You'll be in the USA with Ray and your Hockey Mum Sarah!
30. to§ 29 abu hilja the real palestinian
hans ,   stuttgart germany   (09.27.08)
i'm a REAL Palestinian I'm studying in London then I'm back to my country, i guess you mean jordanien right ?
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