Accept Israel As The Jewish State? (Daniel Pipes: Jewish Nationalism Is The Real Issue Alert)

Frontpagemag.com ^ | 11/27/2007 | Daniel Pipes

[goldstategop]

Surprisingly, something useful has emerged from the combination of the misconceived Annapolis meeting and a weak Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud ("Peace is achieved through concessions") Olmert. Breaking with his predecessors, Olmert has boldly demanded that his Palestinian bargaining partners accept Israel's permanent existence as a Jewish state, thereby evoking a revealing response.

Unless the Palestinians recognize Israel as "a Jewish state," Olmert announced on November 11, the Annapolis-related talks would not proceed. "I do not intend to compromise in any way over the issue of the Jewish state. This will be a condition for our recognition of a Palestinian state."

He confirmed these points a day later, describing the "recognition of Israel as a state for the Jewish people" as the "launching point for all negotiations. We won't have an argument with anyone in the world over the fact that Israel is a state of the Jewish people." The Palestinian leadership, he noted, must "want to make peace with Israel as a Jewish state."

Raising this topic has the virtue of finally focusing attention on what is the central topic in the Arab-Israeli conflict – Zionism, the Jewish nationalist movement, a topic that typically gets ignored in the hubbub of negotiations. Since nearly the birth of the state, these have focused on the intricacies of such subsidiary issues as borders, troop placements, armaments and arms control, sanctities, natural resources, residential rights, diplomatic representation, and foreign relations.

The Palestinian leadership responded quickly and unequivocally to Olmert's demand:

* The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee in Nazareth unanimously called on the Palestinian Authority not to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. * Salam Fayad, Palestinian Authority "prime minister": "Israel can define itself as it likes, but the Palestinians will not recognize it as a Jewish state." * Yasser Abed Rabbo, secretary general of the Palestinian Liberation Organization's executive committee: "This issue is not on the table; it is raised for internal [Israeli] consumption." * Ahmad Qurei, chief Palestinian negotiator: "This [demand] is absolutely refused." * Saeb Erekat, head of the PLO Negotiations Department: "The Palestinians will never acknowledge Israel's Jewish identity. … There is no country in the world where religious and national identities are intertwined."

Erekat's generalization is both curious and revealing. Not only do 56 states and the PLO belong to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, but most of them, including the PLO, make the Shari‘a (Islamic law) their main or only source of legislation. Saudi Arabia even requires that every subject be a Muslim.

Further, the religious-national nexus extends well beyond Muslim countries. Argentinean law, Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe points out, "mandates government support for the Roman Catholic faith. Queen Elizabeth II is the supreme governor of the Church of England. In the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, the constitution proclaims Buddhism the nation's ‘spiritual heritage.' … ‘The prevailing religion in Greece,' declares Section II of the Greek Constitution, ‘is that of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ'."

So, why the mock-principled refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state? Perhaps because the PLO still intends to eliminate Israel as a Jewish state.

Note my use of the word "eliminate," not destroy. Yes, anti-Zionism has until now mainly taken a military form, from Gamal Abdel Nasser's "throw the Jews into the sea" to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's "Israel must be wiped off the map." But the power of the Israel Defense Forces has prodded anti-Zionism toward a more subtle approach of accepting an Israeli state but dismantling its Jewish character. Anti-Zionists consider several ways to achieve this:

Demography: Palestinians could overwhelm the Jewish population of Israel, a goal signaled by their demand for a "right of return" and by their so-called war of the womb.

Politics: Arabs citizens of Israel increasingly reject the country's Jewish nature and demand that it become a bi-national state.

Terror: The 100 Palestinian attacks a week during the period, September 2000-September 2005 sought to induce economic decline, emigration, and appeasement.

Isolation: All those United Nations resolutions, editorial condemnations, and campus aggressions are meant to wear down the Zionist spirit.

Arab recognition of Israel's Jewish nature must have top diplomatic priority. Until the Palestinians formally accept Zionism, then follow up by ceasing all their various strategies to eliminate Israel, negotiations should be halted and not restarted. Until then, there is nothing to talk about.

[goldstategop]

The real issue in the Middle East conflict is Jewish nationalism. That is Zionism, which proceeds from the idea the Jewish people have a valid claim to nationhood in the Land Of Israel. Barring Arab acceptance of it, any negotiations would inevitably be seen as an Arab strategy to eliminate Israel peacefully, e.g do through politics, diplomatic pressure and terror what war has not achieved. That is why Israel should not agree to any negotiations until the Arabs give up their objective of seeing to Israel's disappearance. Israel should not be asked to cooperate in signing her own death warrant. That is not what a self-respecting country should ever see as a legitimate goal of statecraft for its adversary.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Uncle Miltie]

"There is no country in the world where religious and national identities are intertwined"

Ahem.

[RolandBurnam]

yeah, are muslimes that dumb? every muslime country is intertwined with religion.

[quadrant]

You misunderstand the issue. Islam is a demoniacally inspired religion which cannot tolerate in its midst any manifestation of faith in the true God. However secular in practice, Israel is a manifestation of that faith.
This intolerance has a precedent in history. During antiquity the pagan nations surrounding Israel could not tolerate a state dedicated to the worship of the monotheistic God proclaimed by Moses.

[cowdog77]

“To maximize the moment of potential breakthrough, the three went through the gestures again. This time, they clasped hands together. And, for a moment, Bush stepped back and raised his hands to encourage the other two to come together for a handshake, which they did. It harkened back to a memorable image of his predecessor, Bill Clinton, in one of his own Mideast efforts more than a decade ago. “
_____________________
Selling out Israel for a zero percent chance at a legacy.
Ignorance gone to seed.

[goldstategop]

The gestures are meaningless photo op because the negotiations will break down the moment Israel demands the Palestinians acknowledge her Jewish character. Annapolis is NOT going to bring an end to the conflict.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[ml/nj]

Olmert announced on November 11, the Annapolis-related talks would not proceed. "I do not intend to compromise in any way over the issue of the Jewish state. This will be a condition for our recognition of a Palestinian state."

This is just so much BS. Olmert et al. are in Annapolis today so unless Olmert was talking about US or Canadian recognition of the Jewish State one would have to assume that attending Annapolis had nothing to do with anyone "recognizing" anything. And as for the Israelis withholding their recognition of a "Palestinian" state, is Olmert really so stupid as to think that any Arab would care what the Israelis think?

ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

White House Comment Line 202-456-1111

Please call today and let them know what you think about the President's efforts regarding the Annapolis conference.

ML/NJ

[Convert from ECUSA]

Right on, goldstategop! Ping to Israel supporters!

[Nachum]

There should be no negotiations with the murderers and enemies until they wish to talk about acceptance and trade. All discussions of territory for peace are proof that murderers are winning.

Annex the land, end discussions, remove the murderers from the land, and execute the murderers caught red handed.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel, WOT

..................

Fun meeting, nothing changes.

*The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee in Nazareth unanimously called on the Palestinian Authority not to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

* Salam Fayad, Palestinian Authority "prime minister": "Israel can define itself as it likes, but the Palestinians will not recognize it as a Jewish state."

* Yasser Abed Rabbo, secretary general of the Palestinian Liberation Organization's executive committee: "This issue is not on the table; it is raised for internal [Israeli] consumption."

* Ahmad Qurei, chief Palestinian negotiator: "This [demand] is absolutely refused."

* Saeb Erekat, head of the PLO Negotiations Department: "The Palestinians will never acknowledge Israel's Jewish identity. … There is no country in the world where religious and national identities are intertwined."

[SJackson]

Annex the land, end discussions, remove the murderers from the land, and execute the murderers caught red handed.

Execute murderers, never happen. Maybe now Israel will be able to get down to dealing with Ohlmert. I understood an indictment was expected yesterday or today, but was put off till Thursday to avoid embarassment.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Right on, Nachum!!!!

[SunkenCiv]

Unless the Palestinians recognize Israel as "a Jewish state," Olmert announced on November 11, the Annapolis-related talks would not proceed. "I do not intend to compromise in any way over the issue of the Jewish state. This will be a condition for our recognition of a Palestinian state" ...describing the "recognition of Israel as a state for the Jewish people" as the "launching point for all negotiations. We won't have an argument with anyone in the world over the fact that Israel is a state of the Jewish people." The Palestinian leadership, he noted, must "want to make peace with Israel as a Jewish state." ...The Palestinian leadership responded quickly and unequivocally to Olmert's demand... Saeb Erekat, head of the PLO Negotiations Department: "The Palestinians will never acknowledge Israel's Jewish identity. … There is no country in the world where religious and national identities are intertwined." Erekat's generalization is both curious and revealing. Not only do 56 states and the PLO belong to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, but most of them, including the PLO, make the Shari'a (Islamic law) their main or only source of legislation. Saudi Arabia even requires that every subject be a Muslim... Argentinean law, Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe points out, "mandates government support for the Roman Catholic faith. Queen Elizabeth II is the supreme governor of the Church of England. In the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, the constitution proclaims Buddhism the nation's 'spiritual heritage.' … 'The prevailing religion in Greece,' declares Section II of the Greek Constitution, 'is that of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ'." ...So, why the mock-principled refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state? Perhaps because the PLO still intends to eliminate Israel as a Jewish state. Note my use of the word "eliminate," not destroy. Yes, anti-Zionism has until now mainly taken a military form, from Gamal Abdel Nasser's "throw the Jews into the sea" to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's "Israel must be wiped off the map." But the power of the Israel Defense Forces has prodded anti-Zionism toward a more subtle approach of accepting an Israeli state but dismantling its Jewish character.

That's the crux of the op-ed. Thanks C from E.

[Star Traveler]

You said — “During antiquity the pagan nations surrounding Israel could not tolerate a state dedicated to the worship of the monotheistic God proclaimed by Moses.”

Well, I seriously doubt that they “had it out” for the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” very specifically. It was (more or less) simply a supremacy of their way over the Jews (as in “Israel”). In other words, the other nations in speaking about their god over Israel’s God, was simply a matter of “power politics” of who was going to rule over whom — that’s all it was.

Now, to a Christian and a Jew, we can step beyond that very earthly and temporal “mode of understanding” and see the entire scene of the battle in terms of the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” over and against Satan and his evil ways and his fight against the Creator God of the Universe.

These other nations were simply touting their supremacy over Israel, whether they really believed in their so-called gods or not. There may have been those adherents (in those days) who did (very mistakenly) believe in their false gods. But, the main motive for these wars was for power, wealth and control, and not for the purpose of fighting specifically against the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (although Satan, himself, could very easily use these things in “his war” against God). But, that’s *Satan* who has the war against God and not these other nations. They’re simply following their “base natures” (fully well developed in humanity) and fighting wars for the reasons listed.

And with Islam, too, they have their adherents to the religion and many of them believe that Allah is superior to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And many of them are fighting for this reason. But, also many of them are fighting for wealth, power and control, too.

But, with Islam, in these “last days” it is certainly coming down to more of the final battle and victory of God (”on this earth” as it is in Heaven) over Satan and his legions of angels and the havoc they have wrought on this planet, over the centuries and millennia.

Regards,
Star Traveler

[Sender]

Ironically, Israel has been so tolerant toward people of other faiths living there, even giving in to the Muslim Waqf keeping Jews and Christians off al Quds.

There are approximately 50 Muslim-majority countries in the world, and most of them don't tolerate people of other faiths very well at all.

Why does it irk Muslims so much that there might be one single tiny Jewish state? The whole Palestinian refugee story is one of shame for the Muslim countries, as many of them are wealthy with oil and could have pulled the Palestinians out of poverty long ago if they wanted to. Every Palestinian could have been provided with a house and land in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt or Saudi Arabia, but then there would be no need for the intifada. No need to feign outrage over Israelis "occupying" their own land.

You have to wonder when they hold these peace talks if the State Dept beaurocrats really believe that both sides can agree on an obviously incompatible agenda. Do they really believe that the Muslim world will rest at ease when the Palestinians own one more chunk of land and strip those greenhouses for plastic too? Do they really believe the rockets and bombs and demands will cease when they own Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem?

I can't believe the diplomats are that dumb. It must be just a photo op so they can say they tried. I'm not too worried about Israel's survival; only Israel can destroy itself by giving itself away until there is nowhere else to hide. Whatever happened to "never again"? They're doing it again.

[Brandie]

I agree with what you said completly.

[quadrant]

I’m certain the nations surrounding ancient Israel rationalized their hostility to a state dedicated to monotheism by proclaiming a desire for money, power, or land. However, to understand the true nature of the conflict, one must be able see beneath these rationalizations to the true cause: a religious conflict between two diametrically opposing world views. And today, Muslims may rant about mistreatment of the Palestinians, but in reality Muslims the cannot tolerate a non-Muslim state in the middle of an area they deem as part of the Muslim conquest.