February 26, 2009

Analysts have been struggling to explain the rise of Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman and his Yisrael Beiteinu party, who have emerged as kingmakers as Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu strives to put together a workable Israeli government. Lieberman tapped a vein of immigrant bitterness, nationalist fervor, and secular grievance in capturing 15 seats in elections this month. But what has drawn the most scrutiny, and led some to call Lieberman Israel’s LePen, is the campaign to mark Israeli Arabs as disloyal and possibly subversive.

At time when Israel is facing existential threats from beyond its borders from Hamas, Hizbullah, and Iran, it is curious why Lieberman would identify some of Israel’s own citizens as its biggest danger. Granted, Israel’s Arab minority has pursued a troubling and ultimately disenfranchising political agenda in recent years. And some of its elected officials have seemed more interested in declaring their independence from the mainstream rather than advancing a true social justice agenda for their constituents. Unfortunately, Israeli Arabs are denied equal access to the fruits of Israeli citizenship, from education and health care to housing and public services. Defeatist politics do nothing to alleviate these problems.

Yet at a time when Israel is facing nearly unprecedented derision from around the world, Lieberman’s “loyalty” campaign sends exactly the wrong message. Israel’s integration of its Arab minority, however flawed and incomplete, remains a stirring testament to its founding principles. Its Declaration of Independence pledged to “ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race, or sex.” In a region where citizenship and suffrage are narrowly restricted by religion, nationality, and even tribe, Israel’s diversity remains a source of pride and glory.

American Jews have long assisted Israel’s Arab citizens. They have supported the kind of projects meant to build trust between Arabs and Jews. Thanks to politicians on both sides, this trust has been fraying. But Israel needs such projects, just as it needs leaders committed to building a democratic society for all its inhabitants.

Comment: comments@njjewishnews.com

--TOP--