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True you shouldn't use the US standard only, but if the ruler is illegitimate like Mubarek, then Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia and Egypt are not legitimate Democracies.
To begin with, this thread has a misleading title. After titling the thread "Israel is the only democracy in the middle east - exclamation point," the original poster then says, in the original post, "Israel is the only stable pro western democracy in the middle east." Kind of qualifying the title, aren't you? Ford is the best car!!! (Ford is the best car with four letters in its name that begins with an F.)
Also, Israel could be called a qualified democracy. I have noticed that many in other threads have said that Iran is not a true democracy because their candidates must be approved by the Supreme Council before they can run. In Israel, Arabs are allowed in the government, AFTER they have agreed that Israel is and will remain a Jewish country. In addition, there are many places and neighborhoods in Israel where non-Jews are not allowed to live, many schools that non-Jews are not allowed to attend, and non-Jews are not allowed to live in the Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. A true democracy has equal rights for all citizens.
As to the term "pro-Western," they are not "pro-Western" when the United States and the EU tell them to stop building illegal settlements, and they tell us to mind our own business--and keep the dollars and the Euros flowing. They are not "pro-Western" when their policies cause hatred of the US among a billion people worldwide--and they do, given that people who have attacked us have often cited our support of Israeli policies as the reason we were attacked.
Also, many people have cited evidence to show that Israel spies on the US, and then sells US defense technology to the Chinese, and trades it to Russia for increased emmigration quotas for Jews--hardly the actions of a "pro-Western" country.
The bottom line is that Israel is not "pro-Western;" Israel is pro-Israel. To the extent that "Western" countries support Israel politically, or give them money, they are willing to act pro-Western, at least publicly. To the extent that Westen countries disagree with Israel, they are not at all pro-Western. To the extent that Israel can make money by selling the West out, they are happy to do that.
Also, Israel could be called a qualified democracy. I have noticed that many in other threads have said that Iran is not a true democracy because their candidates must be approved by the Supreme Council before they can run. In Israel, Arabs are allowed in the government, AFTER they have agreed that Israel is and will remain a Jewish country. In addition, there are many places and neighborhoods in Israel where non-Jews are not allowed to live, many schools that non-Jews are not allowed to attend, and non-Jews are not allowed to live in the Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. A true democracy has equal rights for all citizens.
As to the term "pro-Western," they are not "pro-Western" when the United States and the EU tell them to stop building illegal settlements, and they tell us to mind our own business--and keep the dollars and the Euros flowing. They are not "pro-Western" when their policies cause hatred of the US among a billion people worldwide--and they do, given that people who have attacked us have often cited our support of Israeli policies as the reason we were attacked.
Non-Jewish Israelis (meaning Arab Israelis) are allowed to live anywhere they please in Israel and attend whatever schools that they want to. But should a Jewish Israeli want to live in an Israeli Arab town/village, his/her life will be threatened.
Israel is a "pro-Western" country. Israel is a sovereign country and therefore it does not have to follow the policies of the USA or the EU as it is a separate entity from them.
These facts do not change the fact that Israel is the most democratic country in the Middle East.
Non-Jewish Israelis (meaning Arab Israelis) are allowed to live anywhere they please in Israel and attend whatever schools that they want to. But should a Jewish Israeli want to live in an Israeli Arab town/village, his/her life will be threatened.
Israel is a "pro-Western" country. Israel is a sovereign country and therefore it does not have to follow the policies of the USA or the EU as it is a separate entity from them.
These facts do not change the fact that Israel is the most democratic country in the Middle East.
You're either lying or seriously ignorant of life in Israel.
Defacto segregation of Arabs is allowed to by the government.
Israeli Jews are some of the most bigoted and racist people on earth. 41% favor segregation of Arabs. 67% declare they wouldn't live in the same building as an Arab.
These are not American or European Jews we are talking about...Israel today is ruled by Orthodox Jews, and Southern Russian immigrants led by racist Avigdor Lieberman.
Your average Israeli Jew today is as enlightened as your average 1993 Serbian.
Last edited by padcrasher; 02-05-2011 at 04:28 PM..
Israeli Jews are some of the most bigoted and racist people on earth. 41% favor segregation of Arabs. 67% declare they wouldn't live in the same building as an Arab.
These are not American or European Jews we are talking about...Israel today is ruled by Orthodox Jews, and Southern Russian immigrants led by racist Avigdor Lieberman.
Your average Israeli Jew today is as enlightened as your average 1993 Serbian.
I am not lying and it is you who are unaware of life in Israel. There are no segregation laws in Israel. But in reality the Jews & Arabs rarely live together.
IF an Israeli Jew would want to live in an Arab town/village, s/he would receive death threats from the local Arabs. On the other hand, an Israeli Arab would not receive death threats from Israeli Jews if s/he would want to live in a Jewish neighborhood.
Israeli Orthodox Jews are a minority in Israel currently. They do not rule Israel and nor do the former USSR Jewish immigrants.
I am not lying and it is you who are unaware of life in Israel. There are no segregation laws in Israel. But in reality the Jews & Arabs rarely live together.
IF an Israeli Jew would want to live in an Arab town/village, s/he would receive death threats from the local Arabs. On the other hand, an Israeli Arab would not receive death threats from Israeli Jews if s/he would want to live in a Jewish neighborhood.
Israeli Orthodox Jews are a minority in Israel currently. They do not rule Israel and nor do the former USSR Jewish immigrants.
Forum readers can read my links from newspapers of record. Don't take my word for it.
I am not lying and it is you who are unaware of life in Israel. There are no segregation laws in Israel. But in reality the Jews & Arabs rarely live together.
IF an Israeli Jew would want to live in an Arab town/village, s/he would receive death threats from the local Arabs. On the other hand, an Israeli Arab would not receive death threats from Israeli Jews if s/he would want to live in a Jewish neighborhood.
Israeli Orthodox Jews are a minority in Israel currently. They do not rule Israel and nor do the former USSR Jewish immigrants.
Don't waste your time, Chava. Their purpose, on any subject related to Israel, is to delegitimize Israel's existence.
Regarding the question of democracy, the answer is very clear.
Freedomhouse, a neutral organization, rates each country in the world with one of three status: totally free, partly free, and not free. The rating is based on the level of political rights and civil liberties. Israel, of course, is given the highest status. It is surrounded by a sea of countries with the lowest status. freedomhouse.org: Map of Freedom in the World
Case closed.
And Chava, don't let the Israel bashers get to you.
Israel is defined as a State for the Jewish people, first and foremost. Jews have rights and privileges beyond those of none Jews, specifically when it comes down to land ownership and holding political office.
Last edited by dorado0359; 02-05-2011 at 07:14 PM..
Reason: ...
IF an Israeli Jew would want to live in an Arab town/village, s/he would receive death threats from the local Arabs. On the other hand, an Israeli Arab would not receive death threats from Israeli Jews if s/he would want to live in a Jewish neighborhood.
That's because the Israeli Jews are invaders and colonizers and thieves, and the Arabs are not. Pretty simple equation there.
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