When Israel builds "settlements" on the West Bank, can anybody of any religion buy a home there?

Question

If not, then why are we condoning an apartheid system? And supporting it with enormous amounts of our foreign aid from your pocket and mine?

How can Israel call itself a "democracy" if it perpetuates discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and religion?

Millions of Palestinians are living in the Occupied Territories under the rule of Israel, with Israel's armed soldiers patrolling their streets. Do they get the vote on choosing representatives in Israel's Knesset? How much freedom do they have to govern themselves? Do they have the right to keep and bear arms?

South Africa got free from apartheid. Why not Israel?

Puhleeeze, don't attack me as if I am anything but a friend of Israel. I would like to see Israel become a free, safe, democracy with equal rights for all people living there. That doesn't make me a pro-Palestinian or a terrorist. So please try offering honest straight up-or-down answers to the questions I posed.

You don't need to convince me that the people of Israel have as much right to live in peace as anybody else - no more, no less - we already know that.

That doesn't justify their creating a subjugated category of secondclass human beings denied equal rights for having the "wrong" ethnicity.

Why shouldn't Israel become a modern secular state of equal rights for all and no more discrimination on the basis of race or religion?

Answer 1

Well, here's a surprise for you. While Israel is a modern democracy with equal rights for Jews and non-Jews, such states as Jordan and Saudia Arabia do not permit Jews to live in their countries.

I'd like to see this asker complain about that.

Answer 2

To get to the original question, if the asking was the purpose of this question: anyone can buy a house in Israel. All you need is the money to do it. There are some neighborhoods where you can rent only if you are religious, because the landlords want religious people to keep the kitchens kosher, and the neighbors want their neighbors to keep the Sabbath. That's about the only restriction there is. In the town where I live, there are many Israeli Arabs, as well as Jewish Israelis, and it's fine. In Lod, Israeli Arabs have built fine houses -- on land they didn't pay for, and the government lets them.
Palestinians are not citizens of Israel. They are under the rule of the Palestinian Authority and vote for their own government.
If you find most Druze Israelis in villages of Druze, it's because that's where they want to live. If they decided to buy homes in Haifa or the occupied West Bank, they could.
I know a Palestinian who has rented in Ramat Gan, and now lives in West Jerusalem. So, like the Druze, if you find a lot of Palestinians in land under the PA, it's because that's where they want to live. I don't think the majority of Palestinians want to be Israeli citizens--they had that choice in 1949 and didn't take it.

So, the question is not apartheid, which doesn't describe the situation. And using that word shows your ignorance. The question is, when will the PA and the majority of Palestinians decide that they want their own independent nation and are willing to work towards it? With nonviolent diplomacy... It's going to be hard for them to make it happen, and they are the only ones who can. It's hard, because they don't all agree on how it should come about. The Hamas, Fatah, and Hezballah can't talk to each other, and have been committing violence against each other, but each claims to represent all of the Palestinians. Until they work out their internal problems, they can't build a state of their own.
Until then, Sederot and Metullah will suffer the bombs that Hamas and Hezballah throw on them almost daily and the government of Israel will only react to actions taken against its citizens.

Israel is waiting for the day when the majority of Palestinians vote for a party to govern them who can really represent them, and as a nation, get their act together. Then we can sit down and figure out a future of peace and economic interdependence.

Answer 3

The evil plans of thoroughly destroying the Palestinians of ever returning to their close by lands is now an open secret. The Israelis will galvanize the unique inhabitants to react and then use that as an excuse to slaughter,expel or enslave the few that are left. The 2500 greater housing instruments being set up interior the west economic employer Testify to the Lies of the Israeli courtroom circumstances of being afraid that their existence is threatened. " you may seek until you tire , you will no longer locate no greater effective liars , they have been mendacity because of the fact the daybreak of historic previous."

Answer 4

No, the point of the settlements is to house Jewish immigrants.

Israel can call itself a "democracy" because inside the Green Line (Israel proper), it holds free and fair elections. Outside of the Green Line (occupied territories), the Palestinians hold their own free and fair elections.

Israel basically turned the security of the OTs over to the Palestinians some time ago. The Israeli Army is posted at borders. It calls itself the IDF because the defence of Israel is its primary objective.

In South Africa, there was/is a black majority and a white minority. In Israel (not the OTs) there is a Jewish majority and an Arab (Muslim and Christian) minority. In the OTs, there is an Arab majority (mainly Muslim).

Israel is a Jewish state. That is its whole raison d'etre. Israel retains a Jewish majority by inviting Jews from around the world to live there and granting them Israeli citizenship.

I trust the above is clear. If you want a treatise on why the Jews are so protective of their little patch of land, I would be happy to impart my (self-admittedly vast) knowledge of European and North African history, and how Israel is the first nation which united its diaspora. I will also be happy to explain to you what a "diaspora" is if you don't know.

Answer 5

Jews, christians and muslims used to live in peace in that part of the world for centuries. Problems start when one party tries to get the upper hand by force and with outside help. I think we should create a new country containing Israel and Palestine and call it something like " the United States of Abrahamic Peoples". It's government will be non-sectarian and democratic. All citizens will be obligated to respect each other's religions and rituals, just like in the U.S.This new country doesn't need an army (imagine the savings), and should be supported and helped to develope by all other countries. Muslims are religiously obligated to respect jews and christians. Muslims do not have any problem with jews. They do have problems with the Zionists as do many jews themselves. We have to get rid of Zionism and live in peace with each other.

Answer 6

Why stop there with your inane question.

You should ask if the United States can build towns in New Mexico, or in Alaska.

Now you could attack two of your enemies at the same time.

Answer 7

lebonon claims the west bank the palestinians live in the gaza strip(actually most palestinians now live in jordan) i agree with what you say to an extent but think you and everyone else should listen to jewish opinions of isreal before coming to conclusions.
you can read some jewish thoughts on isreal here
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/02/09/1614244

Answer 8

When Saudi Arabia builds "settlements" in the Arabian Peninsula, can anybody of any religion buy a home there?

Answer 9

Stop attacking Israel and there will be no problem, everyone can live in peace. No more rocket attacks and suicide bombers. No need for the wall. No need for patrols. You make your own problems by trying to destroy Israel. They have to defend themselves.

Answer 10

Israel is free from apartheid. It's not free of terrorism. How many realize that Israel was dealing with terrorism long before we were? Now the whole world is dealing with it. We are supporting Israel because they are on the front line of this problem and thank God they are.
If you are in sympathy with the Palestinians then why not take one to lunch but don't complain to us if he slits your throat.