Israel Bans Arab Parties From Election

www.campaignforliberty.com...

By a margin of 26-3, the Israeli Central Elections Committee decided to ban the Balad Party from running in next month’s election. By a margin of 21-8, they also banned the United Arab List-Ta’al (UAL-T). The two bans will prevent more than half of the current Arab members of Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, from running for reelection.

The Arab parties earned the ire of the most hawkish elements in the Israeli government by publicly opposing the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Balad likewise made enemies by explicitly calling for equal rights for all citizens of Israel, regardless of national or ethnic identity, which the ruling Kadima Party said would “undermine Israel’s identity as a Jewish state.”

A handful of Arabs will remain on the ballots across Israel, running for as-yet-unbanned Jewish majority parties, but with the general consensus among most of the population that Israeli Arabs are traitors based purely on their ethnic background, they would seem to have an uphill battle. Many disillusioned Arab voters may not vote at all, now that the only significant Arab parties aren’t allowed on the ballot.

During the discussion, Balad Chairman Jamal Zahaika called the move to ban his party “a test for Israeli democracy” and warned that the ban would lead to an outright Arab boycott of the election.

Zahaika also asked Avigdor Lieberman, the driving force behind the ban, “Why are you afraid of democracy?” Lieberman declared Balad a terrorist organization and said “whoever values life” would understand the need to ban it.

Hmm interesting so we are railing on a democratically elected group Hamas while supporting a country that is getting rid of free elections (Israel) I guess there should be no surprise here. I mean we DO also support Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, & China so I guess this just makes us all the more consistent. I just wish we would quit claiming we are fighting for freedom.

[edit on 12-1-2009 by tjeffersonsghost]

It really is sad to say,
but how long before the Israeli soldiers are doing the goose step marching down the street for the Israeli leaders?

20% of the current population of Israel have just been denied political representation.

Does this mean we can stop hearing that trite "Only Democracy In the Middle East" label?

reply to post by tjeffersonsghost

en.wikipedia.org...

In 1936, Jews were banned from all professional jobs, effectively preventing them from exerting any influence in education, politics, higher education and industry. Because of this, there was nothing to stop the anti-Jewish actions that spread across the Nazi-German economy.

Ring a Bell?
we already have most Israelis demanding that Arab kids be kept out of their schools, just Like Nazi Germany where Jews where banned

This is not good and not just for the Arabs. More will turn to extreme actions if they feel they aren't represented in the political process. As much as I can't stand politicans the method of peaceful political actions to push forward agendas is preferable to violence to push agendas.

reply to post by bodrul


I remember reading a study somewhere that said abused children are more likely to become abusive parents. Could this be something similar but on a national level? Scary thought.

The Israeli cauldron of manipulation toils...what will happen next?

Are Jews in all Arab countries allowed to participate in government there?
Are Jews allowed to live in peace or are they forced to migrate?

wikipedia
Forced Migration of Jews from Arab countries
Forced displacement of Jews from Arab countries
Jews banned from Public Office

Justice for Jews from Arab Countries is a great educational resource. I suggest the anti-jews here read it.

Considering that many Jews in Israel had ancestors that were forced to migrate due to anti-Jewish extremism from Islamic countries, the concern expressed by them today is understandable. They don't want to give room for Islam to take hold because in the past their ancestors were forced to migrate out because of it.

You all forget that the Jews in Israel are the children and grandchildren of REFUGEES. Many were refugees from Arab countries. It's natural that they would be untrusting.

reply to post by FlyersFan


They went from being poor refugees....

To hostile occupants.

Amazing how much can change in 60 years isnt't it?

reply to post by FlyersFan


Bahrin doesnt have ties to Israel
but its ambasidor is Jewish, chosen of her Merits not Faith

Iran isnt Arab but has people of the Jewish Faith In parliment

also there is a big diffrence cutting 20% of the population off from being represented in a country, so at the way you try and compare them to the arab countries

[edit on 13-1-2009 by bodrul]

Originally posted by Jacob08
I remember reading a study somewhere that said abused children are more likely to become abusive parents. Could this be something similar but on a national level? Scary thought.

laws of the playground the ones that are bullied
always bully those less weak then they are

en.wikipedia.org...

The current Jewish population of Iran is about 25,000, though estimates vary. Notable population centers include Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. Historically, Jews maintained a presence in many more Iranian cities, and Jews are protected in the Iranian constitution. Iran supports one of the two largest Jewish populations of any Muslim-majority country (the other being Turkey)

What do people have to say about this?

Originally posted by Bl0rg
en.wikipedia.org...

The current Jewish population of Iran is about 25,000, though estimates vary. Notable population centers include Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. Historically, Jews maintained a presence in many more Iranian cities, and Jews are protected in the Iranian constitution. Iran supports one of the two largest Jewish populations of any Muslim-majority country (the other being Turkey)

What do people have to say about this?

now they will say that wikipedia isn't a reliable source even though some will use it to back up their own arguments in these forums.

They ill try and discredit anything Iran has done because they are gaining respect in the arab world, they even helped out the US with Iraq at the start of the war and then got kicked in the teeth for their effort.

Many Jewish people from the region have been relocated in Israel, bribed into moving by cash payments and subsidised housing etc.
The Iranian Jewish population has resisted calls several times, including cash inducements, to move to Israel, stating quite clearly that Iran is their ancestral home.

Obviously that can be a little embarrassing for Israel when it tries to paint Iran as being anti-Jew and wanting to kill all Jews.

Recognition of the UN right of return for refugees should put an end to Israel - oh thats right Israel does not recognise the UN or anything it says.....

reply to post by audas


for some people the right of Return is only for people of one faith
if you dont agree with that your anti Jewish,
doesnt matter if you and your family own/owned the land