The moment of truth

Haaretz.com ^ | February 06, 200 | Dan Ben-David

[US admirer]

Yogi Berra's saying, "It's deja vu, all over again," best describes a gnawing sensation that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. In the 1970s, the State of Israel began to settle Jews within the heart of Arab populations in the West Bank and Gaza, even as it completely ignored relative differences in birth rates between the populations. During the past few years, we have been experiencing the consequences of that leadership blindness. It is still not clear how we will extricate ourselves from that trap - and yet, here we go again. The cost of ignorance this time may be existential. In Israel today, there reside two minorities whose members do not share the country's Israeli-Zionist narrative. As some try to keep themselves apart from the majority, however, many in the majority have adopted the "out of sight, out of mind" approach, and remain oblivious to what is occurring within these populations - as though what happens among them has nothing to do with us. This attitude is sometimes reflected in discrimination and sometimes in political coalition agreements with clauses that provide monetary disbursements to relieve pent-up pressures among those groups. In the meantime, a process has been unfolding that has no parallel in the Western world. Among those within the primary working ages of 25 to 54, 73 percent of the ultra-Orthodox men and 79 percent of Arab-Israeli women are not employed...

It is difficult to overstate the pace at which Israeli society is changing. In 1960, 15 percent of primary-school pupils studied in either the ultra-Orthodox or the Arab-sector school systems (these are today's adults). In 1980, this rate reached 27 percent, and last year it was 46 percent.

[moonman]

"As some try to keep themselves apart from the majority,however, many in the majority have adopted the "out of sight, out of mind" approach, and remain oblivious to what is occurring within these populations - as though what happens among them has nothing to do with us. This attitude is sometimes reflected in discrimination and sometimes in political coalition agreements with clauses that provide monetary disbursements to relieve pent-up pressures among those groups."

Exactly what the Democrats did to Blacks, and other minorities, in every city in America. Round them up and put them in housing projects in segregated neighborhoods, along with cash and food stamps. As long as head of household wasn't a man, the money and free housing kept coming. Out of sight and out of mind, without regard to consequences for their actions.

This must work. How else can you explain 90% staying on the Democrat Plantation?

[honestfreedom69]

Presumably Arab women don't work because they are raising children and ultra Orthodox men are studying in Yeshivas. The State is not obligated to support either group. If Orthodox communities want to have men who study rather than work let them arrange it. Let Arab men pay for their families if that is to include stay at home Moms. Seems like a big deal about nothing. Of course the writer needs to knock the settlers in the process. Not sure how they caused this problem (to the extent it is a problem)

[rmlew]

End the compromise which excluded Rabbinic students from military service. There are enough Rabbis.
If they refuse to fight, they should be given civic jobs.

Thereafter, welfare for these families should be reduced.