For this message of unity between Muslims and Jews of Israel. That is exactly what we want to see, a prosperous Israel for all her Jewish, Muslim and Christian citizens that can be an example to the World not a burden on it.

Maybe it could be considered when all the arab states start to include Jews in their governments. I doubt that the likes of Bertram from Londonstan would see the wisdom in that proposal.

I am of Scottish heritage. Too bad I can't vote because I would love to vote in favor of Scottish independence from England.

Several of the parties have had and do have both Arab and Muslims. There have been both Arab and Muslim ministers, so this is nothing new at all. All the Arab parties have to do to become part of the government is agree to the coalition agreements and ask. It is not up to Likud or any other group - it is strictly up to the Arab parties to decide to join

"In fact, I implore you, pay attention to the state of your own (now miserable) nation rather than hurling unnecessary and undermining directives at us." I am sorry, I thought that "us" meant Israel. Does it mean you, personally? If so, excuse me for my lack of reading comprehension in not recognising you as a plural entity.

I refer to your inclusion of the four words" not a national interest". This is precisely what I mean and what I outlined in my post # 23. The indigenous Arabs of Israel are fully fledged citizens with equal rights on all fronts. I state this in spite of the incessant rhetoric on their part and of their malinformed supporters. One day demographics combined with democracy will dictate that they shall have seats of power and if it is on their agenda to demand the right of return it will then become a matter of "national interest". Do I like this. Do I condone it. Do I approve of it. Do I wish for it. Of course not, but the alternative is much less savoury. Permit me to explain what the alternative is. Alabama circa 1930. KKK. Johannesburg circa 1950. Bavaria circa 1933/8. Is this what you want. I certainly do not.

Your response to Bertram by attacking the UK can only be likened to an ad hominem. We are discussing here Isreal and its future and the situation in the UK is irrelevant to the issue at hand. I have read many of your posts in the past and I am 100% sure that you are capable of addressing the issue specifically and indeed profoundly rather than side stepping and using a tactic which is normally evident in people of lesser intelligence than yourself.

Whereas in Hungary it is pure, unprovoked antisemitism, the Israeli-Arabs, and especially the Arab MKs, have done much to earn their reputation as a fifth column. Think about it. Do you really want to see a man who served as an advisor to Arafat and visited Israel's enemies freely sitting in a coalition?

they fail to understand that the arabs hate them. they fail to understand that the arabs want to turn israel into an arab muslim country. that is the reason for the existence of arab parties. that is the reason for their refusal to learn hebrew, for their refusal to serve in the army. if the arabs wanted to be part of coalitions, they would not have arab nationalist parties. as is, arabs who want to be part of coalitions, do vote for the existing parties.

I am a "Man for all Seasons" and what Israel is doing today, and has done in the past, is tantamount to suicide. Scipio Africanus looked Hannibal in the face and said to him, "If there is one thing I have learned, it is to finish a battle and a war decisively". In the Senate he constantly repeated, "Cartago delende est". Not understanding this in 1948/56/67/73/78/82 etc. is Israel's biggest mistake. Peace by this method could have been achieved many moons ago. The situation today is that Israel's future will be shaped by demographics. The change will be drastic and I personally view it as the decline and fall of the Third Temple. No, I am not a pessimist, I am a realist.

With respect to demographics, there are alternative views about this matter. Are you familiar with Yoram Ettinger's views? His would be in contrast to your own. Second, demographics are an unpredictable matter, not a science, so I wouldn't base my unerstandings alone on that. You may find, for instance, that we (Israel, the nation) will welcome a continued influx of educated, skilled and wealthy people from all over western Europe as Islamization continues to be rampant. In fact, this influx may be huge. We are already showing signs of it. Far more important, however, is the spirit, direction and vigor of the Jewish people. In my mind, that is the real question.

Israel a burden on the world? That most be one of the most stupid commentaries I've seen posted her (and I've seen a lot). How does Israel exactly "burdens" the world? For your information, this tiny country contributes 100 times (make that 1.000) more to the progress and wellbeing of mankind, through our advances in science, medicine, agriculture, than ALL the arab states combined. What is exactly the comparable arab contribution (and don't mention literature, please!)? I would LOVE to know... As for including an Arab in government, wahy not Zoabi? After all, she has shown her love and respect for this country, not only with dealings with Hamas, but for being in the Navi Marmara, inciting the terrorist rabble to kill and maim the israeli soldiers boarding the ship. That's way over stupidity, is simple lunacy.

Spirit, direction and vigor are three qualities which I and all members of my family for five generations, in regard to Israel and Zionism, have been more than familiar with, in fact I would say they are "built in" rather than added extras. I openly admit that in myself these qualities are now on the decline, perhaps due in some small way to the ageing process but most certainly due to frustration at the impasse that we have reached in regard to peace, I truly believe that this problem is insurmountable due to Arab intransigience and the strengthing of the radical right(not that I am on the loony left). I particularly refer to the religious right. In general I would like to say that history has proven that extremes do not operate smoothly and do not sustain themselves. Dictatorships, Autocracies and all forms of tyrannical government have failed their people and served only the interests of the elite. Extreme Socialism and Communism have failed in the same way. Like all other things in life a happy medium must be found. In our case it had better be sooner than later because things are getting bad, there is more than an undercurrent of disdain and displeasure in the populace and we are now at a juncture where leadership will be demanded to take the correct path. I hope that pure logic and pragmatism will win the day and not hot headed extremism fired by religious fanatics egged on by firebrand "preachers". I fear for Israel's future and the entire Zionist project.

Israel is a Jewish state. As long as non-Jews behave, they can stay. If they don't behave -- they have to go. Seems pretty simple to me.

Arabs in Israel have equal rights as opposed to Arab nations that do not give there own citizens any real rights. There are Arabs in Israel in the Army, the courts and even ambassadors.

Couldn't agree more but the worst bit is they are self destructive of the religion itself. In America especially there has been so much assimilation to the extent that the people who have not assimilated are a minority. For centuries Jews died to keep practicing their faith, they were kicked out of countries and just about everything that could be done to them was but they kept their faith. Then mid 20th century mostly when there was no more persecution reform movements started popping up trying to change everything. Israel is the most self destructive country of all these days when it comes to religion and we have now even reached a stage where we have politicians calling to have jew removed from the anthem. There has never eve been an arab politician who has openly called for that even if it is what they want. Some might be radical but the one thing most Muslims seem to have in common no matter where you go is they are not ashamed to be Muslim, they go pray 5 times a day, fast at Ramadan and there are no reform movements saying Islam need to keep up with the times.

An inspiring article recommending a timely and most appropriate follow through of the current popular topic of draft equality. As every citizen should be represented to the degree of their proportionality so every citizen should equally share in all responsibilities of citizenship. Yes, it would be a splendid time for the Ruling Coalition to reach out in an attempt to include a positive Arab List within its body. Also, as an apparent majority of citizens are currently asking the Haredim to fully share in community service or the military so should we strive to incorporate all other citizens regardless of race or religion into this Full Equality Ideal within the framework of the Jewish Democratic State of Israel Basic Laws. If the Haredim should receive a percentage exemption from the draft so shall all recognized religions of Israel be offered an equal percentage exemption of that years Age of Majority.

"Israel The Homeland For The Jewish People." Israel has no legal or moral obligation to include terrorists into her government, or to tolerate them on her land. Neither have any other of the many other arab nations who also keep the pals segregated, and held in camps. The pals are 'enemies of the state,' there is a war between the pals and Israel. No nation includes their terrorist enemies at the table of democracy, unless, it is to sign a 'peace treaty' with the victor thereby relinquishing all acts of war and of aggression and to live by the terms of the victor, not of the vanquished. This nonsense of allowing them any privilege is just that, nonsense.

when the pals include Jews in their cabinets, pay them a fair salary, allow them to live in peace, own their property, practice their religion freely, then.. we can 'talk.' Until then, KEEP BUILDING !!!!!!

Einstein died leaving no mental heirs....

And, is and is also a miracle . and, an 'immaculate inception.' LOL

strange you chose the UK in which to reside. One of the most 'apartheid' of all nations. A nation who once treated its animals better than her humans. A nation that 'The sun never set on." We revolutionary Americans wiped the floor with them, and also saved them from the Nazi's in WW11. ( as we did with all of Europe ) India earned her freedom from this apartheid 'society' that a passive revolution began. Ireland, Scotland...etc. Now, Britain, a bankrupted failing 'empire' with a 'royalty' that is the laughing stock of the media and knuckle dragging baboons. Nice you can look the other way and not also be responsible for choosing this antiquated 'empire' that is now almost nothing and from which you now pontificate. ( rather poorly at that, I might add. )

Here we go again. Yet another post seeking to avoid the issues by finding refuge in irrelevance. I wouldn't for one moment argue against your position on the Middle East through an attack on American neo-imperialism, its disastrous war in Vietnam, its intervention in Iraq on the fictional basis of WMDs,or its rape of various countries in order to dominate the global oil market, to name but a few little American adventures. No, such an attack would not be right, because you are no more responsible for past or current US policies than I am of Britain's. So, let's stick to the issues under discussion. I am happy for a response to the substance of my post at 22 - but won't be unduly troubled if I don't get one.

However, the way the Parliamentary system is set up coalitions must be built and are often between parties with the largest votes to maintain stability. Adding the Arab parties which have only a few seats and are known to be obstructionists, nevermind inciting against the majority of the population and waving flags of an enemy rather than Israeli flags, is tantamount to Affirmative Action. And that never worked so well in the US for the past 3 decades. Including Arab parties just for the sake of multi-culturalism will weaken the govt and create nothing but inaction and in-fighting. But Arabs and other minorities in the larger parties ARE welcome to be part of the coalition and hold seats. Changing the governance system just to appease the minority is yet another form of discrimination from which everyone else suffers.