Opinion
In praise of immigrants
Asaf Gefen
Published: 10.07.10, 13:56
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45 Talkbacks for this article
1. Education...Separate and Not Equal
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (07.10.10)
Imagine what the United States would be like today if we had an education system like Israel where every ethnic and religious group went to separate schools. Israeli Jews go to segregated schools which creates a racist society. Zionism does not have to be Racism.
2. Immigration!
Ray ,   Germany   (07.10.10)
What the writer doesn't understand is that 5th generation warfare is immigration warfare. If I can't defeat your country I can overpopulate it out of existance and in this case Israel of 2030 will be Germany of 1940, but this time jews will be defaced in their own natural homeland. Think about it before you make emotional statements.
3. Multiculturalist gibberish.
Terry ,   Eilat - Israel   (07.10.10)
First of all, Israel already has a very diverse population. No one questions the benefits that immigrants have contributed to Israeli society. But, we are talking about LEGAL immigration. Second, just how many are too many? A million? Two million? Considering that much of the world is mired in poverty, political oppression, ethnic conflicts, etc. there is almost no limit to the number of potential illegal immigrants. Most of these immigrants, the vast majority, will be uneducated, unskilled, without financial resources. What will be the consequences? I doubt if the consequences will be a better football team. Do we have unlimited resources? This country was not founded as a haven for the world's refugees. It was founded with a specific purpose - as a homeland for the Jewish people. We are obliged to take care of our own (particularly since no one else will). This is not about racism, Jews come in all colours. Nor is it about religious exclusivity since Jews are as much a nationality or a people & many Jews are secular, not religiously speaking, Jewish. This is just a bunch of liberal bleeding-heart nonsense. You have only to see the problems immigration has caused, both legal & illegal, all over the world. Why would we want the same problems?
4. There is no country on earth but Israel that has absorbed as
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (07.10.10)
many immigrants as Israel when compared to its geographic size and the size of its population. Only in recent memory, between the years 1990 and 2000 Israel absorbed one million immigrants, 20% of its previous population, found housing, work, education and medical services to all and has integrated most into the society with few glitches. The only difference between Israel absorption of immigrants and all other countries is the fact that the overwhelming majority of immigrants who reach Israel's shores are Jewish. Does this fact places Israel as a country that opposes to immigration? Aren't Jewish people counted as humans, deserved of a place to which to immigrate should they choose to do so? To accuse Israel of being opposed to immigration is pathetic and points to the problematic state of mind of the accuser!!!
5. Couldn't Agree More!
Moshe Rosten ,   Ariel, Israel   (07.10.10)
Yet the truth of the matter is that we are frightened. And that is a self fulfilling prophesy unfortunately.
6. Illegal immigrants are not welcome anywhere in the world.
Eric ,   Tel Aviv & New York   (07.10.10)
Illegal immigrants are not welcome anywhere in the world. Look at the fence and the problems the US is having with Mexico Look at the problems Italy is having with people coming across the Mediterranean. Look at the responses of local people across Europe - the UK, Germany, Switzerland, etc. And that ignores the fact that some Illegals come to Israel to cause harm. How can you claim that Israel is out of touch with contemporary world?
7. ISRAEL IS A STATE AND HAVEN FOR
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (07.10.10)
Jews ,not a feee-for-all for illegal immigrants .Israel is small and has limited water and resources .Israel is the home of the jewish people and can not be the home for every people. SORRY .
8. To LAWRENCE, 7
Bertil ,   Sweden   (07.10.10)
"Sweden, not a freee-for-all for illegal immigrants. Sweden is small and has limited water and resources. Israel is the home of the swedish people and can not be the home for every people. SORRY ." Do you agree?
9. Europe will soon be Islamisize because of immigrants
redbourn ,   arad - israel   (07.10.10)
What a spurious and shallow article. The Romans imported slaves from Africa, and the Roman Empire ceased to exist as a result of it and other reasons; the Roman women not wanting families being one of them. Sounds like Europe? Europe as we know it will cease to exist in twenty years in the case of France and some others and in 30-40 years for the longest lasting countries. Football? Zidane Zidane wouldn't even sing the French national anthem because he said it wasn't his. A quick search for Asaf Gefen will reveal a whole stream of articles that focus on left wing reverie. Couldn't he get a job with HaAretz? Mike
10. What immigrants these are illegal aliens & economic locasts!
(07.10.10)
they come like a swarm of locasts and take and take all the time claiming they are weak and innocent. And then bam! they have damaged the infrastructure of all of the areas they live in. for Israel it is crucial to stop accepting this traffic in illegal aliens who are being brought in to do the work of the new rich radical...who want servants and don't care that they are damaging the Jewish nature of the state!
11. Try getting a permit to live and work in Germany
Danny   (07.10.10)
or France with a chinese or phillipino passport. You can be 100% sure they have a stricter immigration policy than Israel.
12. What's you point, Berthil #8?
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/Canada   (07.10.10)
Sweden has always been exclusive and quite ethnically and racially segregated, blonde and white (except for the northern Laplanders) until it allowed so many mideastern Muslims into the country. This has certainly had a detrimental sociological effect on Sweden and has altered its political outlook as well. So, once again, what was the point you wished to make, Berthil?
13. Stupid inflammatory article...Israel is more
Frank ,   USA   (07.10.10)
culturally diversified than any country on this planet.
14. Labor perpetrated same thing on the UK
Marcella   (07.10.10)
A recent example of the political and selfish nature of the left's advocacy for multiculturalism is in this expose' of UK politicians as reported by The Telegraph. "Labour wanted mass immigration to make UK more multicultural, says former adviser" Excerpts: - The huge increases in migrants over the last decade were partly due to a politically motivated attempt by ministers to radically change the country and "rub the Right's nose in diversity", according to Andrew Neather, a former adviser to Tony Blair, Jack Straw and David Blunkett. - Critics said the revelations showed a "conspiracy" within Government to impose mass immigration for "cynical" political reasons. - ... Many have long suspected that mass immigration under Labour was ...a conspiracy. They were right. - This Government has admitted three million immigrants for cynical political reasons concealed by dodgy economic camouflage. End of quotes. As you can see, the Left will stop at nothing - not even to policies that seriously harm the country - in order to garner more votes and to overcome the ideological shift to the right occurring all over the West. Same thing in Israel, where the left is becoming an insignificant minority. The only way for them to survive is by bringing in waves of non-Jewish immigrants and refugees - no matter what harm it does to the country.
15. #14 Marcella.
Terry ,   Eilat - Israel   (07.10.10)
You make an excellent point. But it's not just Britain, Eurocrats did this all over Europe. And now Obama would like to do the same in America. Importing votes, damn the consequences.
16. Do you know what struck me the most?
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.10.10)
I was safely ensconced in my favorite pub watching Germany play Spain. They played the national anthems. First Germany. And I heard the unmistakable strains of "Deutschland, Deutschland, uber alles." Following the defeat of Germany in 1945, the Allies banned that anthem. Turns out that the VERY first thing that the reunified Bundestag did was make that horrible song the anthem of unified Germany. The very first thing. The more things change, the more they stay the same. As much as I dislike Spain and the Spaniards, I am glad that Germany was defeated. I am rooting for the Netherlands. Despite my issues with them. Enjoy the day, World Cup aficionados, and I'll see you in four years!
17. Second try
Marcella   (07.10.10)
(Here's a gentler version of my previous non-posted talkback.) The author writes: "Ethnic diversity contributes to culture, commerce, society, and sports. It also exposes people new flavors, different colors, and original thoughts." How sweet, how generous and idealistic. However, even populations that do not fear genocide are already questioning the idea of multiculturalism. Toronto, Canada, used to be the kind of town where you could leave your front door unlocked anytime. That's just a generation ago. Today things are not going too well - by Canadian standards, of course. Nothing like Los Angeles, El Paso, London or Paris. As you can see, Asaf, multiculturalism does not work. Multiculturalism is a fairy tale being told by left-wing politicians desperate for more votes. It does not apply to reality. If it doesn't work in Canada, a country with high level of tolerance, good integration of minorities and a huge geography - it cannot work in a tiny country populated with an always threatened human group: the Jews. Those who call Jews RACIST are using EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION of a group highly sensitive to such charge. It is very unjust. Israel - unlike other countries - was created by the international community expressly as a HOME FOR THE JEWS. By the way, the France you are citing is the one of the 1990s, when the French were still being lied to about the benefits of multiculturalism. Yes, the soccer team and all that. Today many French live in fear and see the culture they felt so proud of being obliterated by demands for "accommodation" and highly intolerant and threatening attitudes on the part of some of their minorities. It was an experiment that failed and cannot be reversed. Increased non-Jewish immigration to Israel is not just an innocent ideal but would mean the very end of Israel as a home for the Jews - clearing the way for another Holocaust.
18. Legal immigration isn't the issue
Ilan ,   Ariel   (07.10.10)
Every country tries to prevent people entering and staying into their country illegally. And if the only benefit is a slightly less worse sports team then it wouldn't be worth it.
19. Israel has enough non Jews that are
jason white ,   afula,israel   (07.10.10)
hostile to the state. We have hara-dim, arabs and non Jews posing as Jews from the f.s.u. Enough with illegal immigrants. We need a country for Jews. Israel is the safe haven for Jews that no other country will provide. Time to get rid of the illegals and those that want them here.
20. #15 Terry
Marcella   (07.10.10)
You are right. I agree with your TB #3 too. Quite compelling arguments. Indeed, Jews come from all kinds of cultures and in all colors. But the left in Israel and everywhere in the West has an agenda and they throw the word "Racism" around because they know it makes people uncomfortable. I can't say too much but the problem with racism is endemic and often quite acute in non-Western cultures - but that's hardly ever talked about. Regarding Obama's plans for illegal migrants, even Republicans are hesitant to show too much opposition these days. They too fear Latino voters' backlash. Let's hope the Tea Party success will persuade them to stand by their principles.
21. # 8 Bertil
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (07.10.10)
Bertil Sweden ! Scandinavians are commiting cultural suicide,and you want Israel to do the same,why the scandinavians are doing that ? is up for the psychologists to answer,i believe the reason is, the scandinavians ,being blond are attracted to the Muslims who are dark,but they don't realize that with the dark color comes also sharia and subjugation of women ,and hatred for Israel,the scandinavians don't have a history of antisemitism,but they are learning fast.
22. 1. u don't know what the hell you are talking about
Truth!   (07.10.10)
America has charter schools paid with public funds that are for particular races and religions BECAUSE those races and religions set them up and want it that way! Israel is a FREE society. When is the last time you were there, and walked the streets of Tel Aviv or Ramle? All Israelis are treated the same, whether they are religious, secular, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Biah. Once again: You don't know what the hell you are talking about!
23. Who the hell needs enemies ...
Truth   (07.10.10)
when we have such fine citizens willing to tear us down at the first opportunity and every opporunity!
24. 8. absolutely. Sweden is free to not accept new immigrants.
(07.10.10)
25. Ah Sarah B
Smith ,   TA, Israel   (07.10.10)
You simply heard "uber alles" but it doesn't make it so. The words are banned. The tune is the same.
26. To all the naysayers here
Smith ,   TA, Israel   (07.10.10)
Just substitute words like "Sudanese" for "Jew", "Israle" for "America" and you have an attitude to refugees that condemned many of our brethren to thir deaths. It's a disgrace to berate Western European and American history for denying refuge to Jews in the 30s and then do the same to hose fleeing genocide in Darfur. Furthermore, we're talking about 1200 children and their parents. We're talking about less than .0001% of the Israeli population. Calm down and stop being so hysterical (for a change) @9 Where did you learn your ancient history? The reasons for the decline of the Roman Empire are complex and didn't boil down to immigration. And the very idea that 50-odd million Muslims (many of them 3rd generation and some of those secular and integrated) are going to subdue a Europe that is collectively 500 million strong, has collectively a GDP on par with the USA and whose culture dominates the world. North America, Latin America, Australia and even Zionism are basically European creations. Don't get your underwear in a twist guys. You're really being ridiculous. The fascists couldn't do it, the communists couldn't do it and a bunch of immigrants wonn't do it either.
27. We have, and have had, immigration from all over.
Roman ,   Lod, Israel   (07.10.10)
What we don't want is illegal immigration - immigration is, was, and should be on our terms, not on the terms of those seeking to come here. We don't want economic immigration. We don't want comfort immigration. We want immigrants who already hold our shared identity, values, and beliefs. And we'd like to preserve our country as it is, thank you very much - multi-culti hogwash is all fine and good in Europe, where it didn't quite work out as planned. Sweden in particular bit off more refugees than it could chew, and several countries are losing their identities - it's not for nothing that Britain is now moving toward limiting citizenship by marriage to those who speaking the English language. Holding hands and singing is good for campfires - in the real world, we tend to like preserving cultures, religions, languages, and suchlike, rather than seeking to destroy them as "evil separating fences".
28. citizenship should be automatic
roli ,   miami beach, USA   (07.10.10)
for children of foreign workers who are born in Israel. That's a very specific group of people, with a unique and important perspective that will always be felt in their hearts and their language while they live in Israel. Could one of them grow up to become the Prime Minister? And not be Jewish already? Maybe they would rather be Druze... who knows.
29. Immigration
Joan ,   New Zealand   (07.11.10)
Asaf Gefen totally misunderstands the situation and so do the people who agree with him. Many, many more Jews are to come HOME to Israel yet - G-d is doing in Israel what He would said He would do. AND Asaf if you are so keen on immigration take a while to sit and swat up on what is happening in European Western Countries. Start reading 'Londonistan' and 'The World Turned Upside Down' by Melanie Phillips Soccer? Anything to take our minds off what is happening .
30. Jews/ Russians from nowhere to live in homes of Palestinians
Kumba   (07.11.10)
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