New York, 12:44 PM
Fri Dec 11
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Jezebel 
09/15/09
07/27/09
They are so shiny and new and big--it makes me wonder when Israel will provide some of its Palestinian residents with running water. Hell, it makes me wonder when Israel will decide to renovate all the crumbly buildings in my neighborhood in Tel Aviv.
07/27/09
07/27/09
07/27/09
07/27/09
07/27/09
So, assuming you weren't looking for a justification that includes a concern for BASIC MORALITY, here's your justification.
07/27/09
07/27/09
Since the majority of Israelis are fairly secular, I've always been confused by the leeway given to the Haredi (the ultra-Orthodox, the settlers most often come from this group). I think the reason is twofold. First, the Haredi represent traditional Jewish life and they are preserving traditions that many Jews have let go (and that Hitler tried to erase from the face of the earth). That accords them some respect, which they use to great advantage in influencing Israeli politics. The second thing is that they have lots and lots of babies, which will eventually change the face of Israel but right now is more important in that there is a fear that Jews will become a smaller and smaller group both within Israel and globally. Add on top of that the religious tenet that God gave the Jews Israel and it becomes really politically difficult for the Israeli government to justify forcibly removing the settlers (which has been done in the past and was not great PR). That's why the settlers are still there- they are religious fundamentalists who the Israeli government has a hard time standing up to politically. Its like standing up against your crazy grandpa- you might think he's nuts, but he's still your grandpa.
07/27/09
So instead of settlers being your crazy grandpa, they're your slightly problematic teen who you decide to help by buying drugs for them. In this sense, if Israel was a mom, it'd be Dina Lohan.
07/27/09
http://www.globallawforum.org/ViewPublication.aspx?ArticleId=101
07/27/09
07/27/09
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/07/palestinian_rights_a_warning.html
07/27/09
07/27/09
07/27/09
You can find historical justifications for anything, the only thing that is really important is the now. And you're on the wrong side.
07/27/09
07/27/09
this sums it up:
http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2009/07/palestinians-blame-arab-leaders-for-the-nakba
07/27/09
This is also why its almost impossible for any real progress to be made, everyone on both sides is so caught up in history and propaganda that no one can take a step back.
07/27/09
07/27/09
We ethnically cleansed the shit out of the Palestinians in 47/48. I'm pretty sure that's the cause of the Palestinian refugee problem.
Nothing justifies the way the Israeli government treats the Palestinian people, both those that hold Israeli passports and those that live in the territories. If any justice could emerge from the legacy of anti-semitism it would be that we might finally learn that asserting brutal might is not moral, and that treating others as we were treated in the past does not somehow rectify the wrongs done to us as a people.
07/27/09
Compared to living in a Palestinian village living in a settlement is a piece of cake- protection from the Israeli army, running water, electricity, getting waved through check points, having the right to use the roads in the West Bank. And the settlers have a choice of where to live, while Palestinian in the territories do not.
07/27/09
I'm not saying there's nothing to be said for the importance of a Jewish homeland, but to say Jews have EARNED it and DESERVE it because of continued oppression, you're opening up a lot of moral leeway.
07/27/09
07/27/09
The Justification: The 6 Days War (1967) - The story: The Arab countires all ganged up and attacked Israel. Israel fought back and kicked their collective asses. This left Israel in the possession of a lot of "Arab" land including Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.
Henceforth, Rule #363, otherwise referred to as "Winner's Keepers, Loser's Weepers" took effect.
07/27/09
@deeemer: Everyone needs to let go of what they owned in 1948 and this would be a lot easier for the Palestinians to do without the settlers.
I don't think anyone thinks Isreal is the only one at fault for the current cluster fuck, but they are the ones with the greater power over what goes on in the West Bank.
Along with that, I don't consider Daniel Pipes at all a reasonable source. The man claimed that Obama was a Muslim
07/28/09
07/28/09
I'm blushing a little...
06/04/09
The speech was amazing. His ability to rein in and do justice to the competing truths of all the people to whom he must appeal is astonishing. He really is kinda Lincolnian....
(Moment of cultural learnings: There is a "Lincoln Street" in Tel Aviv, and it shares a corner with "Wilson Street." These streets are pronounced "Leen-ko-len" and "Vilsohn." I loved telling people that I would meet them on the corner of "Leen-ko-len and Vilsohn.")
06/04/09
"Argument that Obama is magic and sparkles" pt.442.
06/04/09
06/04/09
06/04/09
06/04/09
Right?
06/04/09
06/04/09
= most asinine comment of the day.
06/04/09
It is June and I am wearing a fleece hoodie. Still doesn't keep me warm enough outside with the wind. Bluh. Looks like I need to fly to Tel Aviv.
06/04/09
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06/04/09