Israel Q.A.

[Xsy]

...or you are somehow related to someone Jewish you can get a citizenship , this actually creates a situation when there are quite a few citizens who are not Jewish but still get on - spot citizenship , most of them aren't loyal to the country and some of them even become Neo - nazis (Neo - nazis in Israel , pretty sad actually :| ).

Really? Neo-Nazis in Israel? I have to ask about that, I've never heard of such a thing. How does that even work out? I can't imagine a Neo-Nazi being related to a Jewish person, so how do they get in? Do they purposely try to get in for some reason? Why, does being in Israel help them be more active Neo-Nazis or something? Do they get a lot of publicity?

Well most of the known acts (Nazi cross on Jewish graves , there was even a synagogue burn attempt somewhere I think ) were done by stupid young - adults and teens who probably got an identity issue . When it was uncovered a year or two ago that there was a small cell of Neo - nazi in Israel it did drew quite a shock through out the general public , many didnt even believe such thing could happen.

Later uncovered details explained that most of the members werent Jewish by law , meaning they could have a step - mother who was Jewish that could be married to their father , or the other way around. Most of them live in deep poverty with no education and blame Israel for that , their sign of 'protest' is becoming neo nazis.

Actually , following this discovery the general public demanded a hardening in acceptance rules , so situations like this could lessen. But nothing was done yet.

Here is a story on some of them : http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/902712.html

 

[Xsy]

I haven't read through the entire thread so this question may have already been asked.
How much power does the Orthodox Jewish minority hold in the Israeli government, and how are they viewed by the secular Jewish majority?

In my opinion they hold too much power . Because of the election system in Israel that strongly favors minorities and having Orthodox Jews being quite a large minority , they always have quite a few representatives in the government.

The secular Jews view of the Orthodox ones is quite poor. The Orthodox jews dont serve in the army ( they excuse it with 'religious ' reasons ) , they dont have jobs ( spending all their life reading the stupid bible over and over again ) and have tax reduction , to add to all of that , because they dont work they get financial support from the government and they representatives constantly try to impose their religion on Israeli society.

They are viewed by many as parasites of the country (me included) , leeching money from tax payers and doing nothing to repay.

 

[asiepshtain]

Two days ago a Palestinian terrorist walked into an Israeli settlement, and attacked with an axe two kids, killing a 13 year old and severly wounding a 7 year old. He attacked a seven year old child with an axe and ran.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1238562890875&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

I could not find a single report on this from any foreign news agency, not one. But our foreign minister SAYING the piece process is in the shit, that gets covered everywhere.

I tried avoiding any plain rhetoric out here, and just keeping it strait and answering questions. But for fucks sake, that pisses me off. This animal of a man crept into a town in disguise, looked for the smallest, weakest kids he could find and attacked them. And we are the criminals, FFS!?

Hamas response, threw its official spokesperson Ayman Taha: "This attack was committed in the framework of the resistance... it is our right to defend ourselves and to act in every way and with every means at our disposal in order to defend ourselves". Defend themselves against a 13-year old and a 7-year old.

My prayers go out to Shlomo Nativ's family threw this terrible loss. Also to Yair Gamliel and his hopefully speedy recovery.

 

[Erana]

From what I understand, Zionists orginally just wanted a Jewish state so that they, as an ethnicity, could have a home. Its that recently, these people have been joined by deeply religious Jews, who believe that the land is their God-given right.
If Israel today was offered a new home with the same resources and agricultural potential as Israel, and enough monetairy compensation to make it feesiable, would the people of Israel move to prevent war?

Also, is it right for me to want to put some of the blame on post WW2 Britian for helping Jews move into a country that was already happily inhabited?

It seems to me that both the Palestenians and Jews have entitlement to the land- Jews bought the land, but Palestenians rented the land for centuries after ownership was taken as a spoil of war.

 

[asiepshtain]

From what I understand, Zionists orginally just wanted a Jewish state so that they, as an ethnicity, could have a home. Its that recently, these people have been joined by deeply religious Jews, who believe that the land is their God-given right.
If Israel today was offered a new home with the same resources and agricultural potential as Israel, and enough monetairy compensation to make it feesiable, would the people of Israel move to prevent war?

Also, is it right for me to want to put some of the blame on post WW2 Britian for helping Jews move into a country that was already happily inhabited?

It seems to me that both the Palestenians and Jews have entitlement to the land- Jews bought the land, but Palestenians rented the land for centuries after ownership was taken as a spoil of war.

You're pretty much on the ball, for a more in-depth read I refer, once again, to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Israel

As for your questions:

A. Would we move if possible? I don't think so. Israel was not just picked out of a hat, it's the homeland of the Jewish people, it's an integral part of our culture. Not to mention is completely unfeasible today. But even if it were I don't think we would, Israel is our home.

B. Is British colonialism partly to blame? Certainly, the original Balfour Declaration suffered from the inherent prepositions of British colonialism of the time. A disregard to so called "Natives", a more compassionate and enlightened view might have led to a much better Israeli - Arab relation later on. But remember, the land was bought from the ottoman empire and local Arabs were offered many sharing propositions of this land with the Jews, which they all declined in favor of war.

 

[Zersy]

Hello everybody,

I'm an Israeli citizen, a reserve solider and nice guy. I've been hearing a lot of misinformation about Israel lately. The latest conflict in the Gaza strip has stirred up many feeling in the world, many of them sadly based on misinformation. I would like to correct that.

Let me begin by stating a few facts about myself just as a basis. I am neither extreme to either left or right in politics when it comes to security. I voted to "Meretz", a left-wing welfare state party, in the last few elections as I agree with their economic views. I'm a graphic designer, but I have heavy interest in both politics and philosophy And I served in the army for four years.

The idea is simple, you ask questions about Israel, I answer. I assume the Israel-Palestine conflict would be most heavily discussed but you can ask anything, And yes Israeli girls are the prettiest there are and we do love our 'humus'.

I will attempt to answer any question fairly and with complete honesty, representing as wide a base of opinions as possible.

Shoot.

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

 

[Azetheros]

...and local Arabs were offered many sharing propositions of this land with the Jews, which they all declined in favor of war.

I want to add the Peel Commission to what people know about Zionism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peel_Commission

Essentially, Jews and Arabs in Israel were offered the reverse of today's borders in Israel; Israel being the non-continuous tiny state, and Palestine being the larger, continuous state. Long story short, the Arabs completely rejected the plan, while the Jews debated furiously, and the Arabs then supported the Axis in WWII while the Jews fought in the aforementioned Jewish Brigade. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Brigade)

 

[SnowCold]

I haven't read through the entire thread so this question may have already been asked.
How much power does the Orthodox Jewish minority hold in the Israeli government, and how are they viewed by the secular Jewish majority?

That a touchy subject, since all if them vote for the ultra orthodox partys, and while they are a minority they are a big one, so they have power.

How they are viewed? Well, how to say it... they aren't very populer in the other areas of Israel, they are considered to conservative and very racsist by most, but it doesn't really matter since they will 90% never live with each other.

 

[SnowCold]

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

I don't understand that first one

To fucking survive

Bad, but not as bad as the USA yet

If it's in war, and if it is trying to kill you, then ofcourse

 

[Zersy]

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

I don't understand that first one

To fucking survive

Bad, but not as bad as the USA yet

If it's in war, and if it is trying to kill you, then ofcourse

Who would you say is the isreal's biggest enemy ?

right now it's a good thing your answering questions because most sources to find out about isreal are unreliable

 

[SnowCold]

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

I don't understand that first one

To fucking survive

Bad, but not as bad as the USA yet

If it's in war, and if it is trying to kill you, then ofcourse

Who would you say is the isreal's biggest enemy ?

right now it's a good thing your answering questions because most sources to find out about isreal are unreliable

Biggest enemy? Iran
Most active Enemy? Hamas

 

[Zersy]

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

I don't understand that first one

To fucking survive

Bad, but not as bad as the USA yet

If it's in war, and if it is trying to kill you, then ofcourse

Who would you say is the isreal's biggest enemy ?

right now it's a good thing your answering questions because most sources to find out about isreal are unreliable

Biggest enemy? Iran
Most active Enemy? Hamas

Ummm why ?

i don't see anything bad about iran (other then some social discrimination)

and i would like to know more about the Hamas please

 

[Seekster]

I remember that Judah Pearl, the father of journalist Daniel Pearl who was murdered by terrorists, came and made a speech at my college campus last year during which is said that "Israel is the only nation that has found a military solution to terrorism." He added though that Israel's solution requires absolute diligence since a single slip-up can cost lives.

 

[SnowCold]

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

I don't understand that first one

To fucking survive

Bad, but not as bad as the USA yet

If it's in war, and if it is trying to kill you, then ofcourse

Who would you say is the isreal's biggest enemy ?

right now it's a good thing your answering questions because most sources to find out about isreal are unreliable

Biggest enemy? Iran
Most active Enemy? Hamas

Ummm why ?

i don't see anything bad about iran (other then some social discrimination)

and i would like to know more about the Hamas please

Well, all the arab world hates us, they just don't want to waste their time on us.

 

[Zersy]

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

I don't understand that first one

To fucking survive

Bad, but not as bad as the USA yet

If it's in war, and if it is trying to kill you, then ofcourse

Who would you say is the isreal's biggest enemy ?

right now it's a good thing your answering questions because most sources to find out about isreal are unreliable

Biggest enemy? Iran
Most active Enemy? Hamas

Ummm why ?

i don't see anything bad about iran (other then some social discrimination)

and i would like to know more about the Hamas please

Well, all the arab world hates us, they just don't want to waste their time on us.

Can you explain why ?

i'm gonna take a wild guess and say it's got something to do with Muslim and Jewish past conflicts

 

[asiepshtain]

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

"Why is there a war going on ?" - You need to understand how complex this question really is. Let me put it this way, you can get a masters degree on the middle-east conflict. On just that one subject. It brings to a point struggles of religion, culture, history, territory, water, and many more issues. If you really must have a reason, it's because of conflicting values between the east and west and this is where it's fought because Israel is surrounded by Arab states.

"what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?" - Same as any other government, rule the country. You'll have to be more specific.

"what is the economic state ?" - The current crisis is affecting us like everyone else, and we are in a dramatic slow down in the market. However, since Israel has strong socialistic roots, we have a much more strict over site of the banks. So our banks are stable.

"and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?" - In self-defense, In defense of another.

 

[asiepshtain]

Who would you say is the isreal's biggest enemy ?

right now it's a good thing your answering questions because most sources to find out about isreal are unreliable

Israel biggest enemy is undoubtably Iran. Iran is both actively funding terrorist organizations world-wide and in the Gaza strip in particular, and actively developing nuclear weapons. The rockets fired from Gaza into Israel in the latest conflict where made and given to Hamas by Iran. Iran`s president has openly stated his intent to "Wipe Israel off the map" what makes their nuclear armament a direct and total threat against Israel.

* The following is my opinion *

As to why Iran hates us so much, Iran is run by religious extremists. the Iranian people overthrew the shah in 1979, creating a short lived democracy. This democracy did not include vital checks and balances and basic human rights foundation and was quickly subverted by the religious extremists. see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Revolution

(for a very accessible read on this I recommend Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis_(graphic_novel)

As such, I believe the greatest fear of the Iranian dictatorship government is another revolution. Lead by the same democratic principles, only properly constructed this time. As a democratic state in the region we provide a constant irritation and inspiration to this revolution. It is therefore the desire of their government to either destroy us, or failing that demonize us to the farthest extent.

 

[SnowCold]

Why is there a war going on ?

what are the goals of the isreal goverment ?

what is the economic state ?

and when do you think it is acceptable to kill someone ?

sorry for the last harsh one but please reply in detail

I don't understand that first one

To fucking survive

Bad, but not as bad as the USA yet

If it's in war, and if it is trying to kill you, then ofcourse

Who would you say is the isreal's biggest enemy ?

right now it's a good thing your answering questions because most sources to find out about isreal are unreliable

Biggest enemy? Iran
Most active Enemy? Hamas

Ummm why ?

i don't see anything bad about iran (other then some social discrimination)

and i would like to know more about the Hamas please

Well, all the arab world hates us, they just don't want to waste their time on us.

Can you explain why ?

i'm gonna take a wild guess and say it's got something to do with Muslim and Jewish past conflicts

Think of it this way, you see your brother fighting with some stranger, You don't really know or care about the reason, who will you side with?

 

[asiepshtain]

Do you think your Airforce is the best one in the middleeast,or the world for that matter,cause I think so!

Unquestionably the finest in the middle-east. No comparison in technology and even man-power.

But to say it's the finest in the world would be ludicrous. Even if you think our pilots as super-human genetically engineered half-bird half-man one-third Chuck Norris, the American air force outnumbers the IDF by a factor of more then a hundred to one.

Strongest in the middle-east? sure. Strongest in world? off course not.

 

[Zersy]

Who would you say is the isreal's biggest enemy ?

right now it's a good thing your answering questions because most sources to find out about isreal are unreliable

Israel biggest enemy is undoubtably Iran. Iran is both actively funding terrorist organizations world-wide and in the Gaza strip in particular, and actively developing nuclear weapons. The rockets fired from Gaza into Israel in the latest conflict where made and given to Hamas by Iran. Iran`s president has openly stated his intent to "Wipe Israel off the map" what makes their nuclear armament a direct and total threat against Israel.

* The following is my opinion *

As to why Iran hates us so much, Iran is run by religious extremists. the Iranian people overthrew the shah in 1979, creating a short lived democracy. This democracy did not include vital checks and balances and basic human rights foundation and was quickly subverted by the religious extremists. see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Revolution

(for a very accessible read on this I recommend Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis_(graphic_novel)

As such, I believe the greatest fear of the Iranian dictatorship government is another revolution. Lead by the same democratic principles, only properly constructed this time. As a democratic state in the region we provide a constant irritation and inspiration to this revolution. It is therefore the desire of their government to either destroy us, or failing that demonize us to the farthest extent.

Like wow this is complicated

but thanks for all the info

but i still don't know who deserves pity