"Israeli human rights organizations that try to help Palestinians have never enjoyed widespread public support. Organizations such as Machsom Watch, Physicians for Human Rights, Yesh Din, Ta'ayush, Hamoked - The Center for the Defense of the Individual, and B'Tselem are viewed by the general public as slanderers and traitors to Israel's interests, or as disrupters of the work of Israel Defense Forces soldiers who protect the state against terrorism. The understanding that these organizations save the state's honor, and that decrying them undermines and weakens Israeli democracy, has not penetrated the public. And above all, it seems, it has not penetrated the consciousness of the establishment."
Sadly, around the world Jewish pressure groups assert, mostly loudly and offensively, that anyone who critices Israel is either an anti-semite or a self-hating Jew etc. Certainly anything which encourages debate or discussion is jumped on. Witness here in Australia the pathetic attempt last year by MHR Danby to "censor" a book not even published. The furore surrounding the Margo Kingston book, Not Happy John - with a chapter on the Ashwari affair in Sydney - is another example. There are countless instances overseas.
It is therefore a breath of fresh air to read the above - from an Israeli newspaper, Haaretz. Read the full article here.
As the article concludes:
"Life under the anomaly of an occupation regime produces strange solutions, such as the presence of women alongside soldiers in an effort to ensure a more humane routine. The human rights organizations are the state's pride, not a threat that must be liquidated or minimized".
Sadly, around the world Jewish pressure groups assert, mostly loudly and offensively, that anyone who critices Israel is either an anti-semite or a self-hating Jew etc. Certainly anything which encourages debate or discussion is jumped on. Witness here in Australia the pathetic attempt last year by MHR Danby to "censor" a book not even published. The furore surrounding the Margo Kingston book, Not Happy John - with a chapter on the Ashwari affair in Sydney - is another example. There are countless instances overseas.
It is therefore a breath of fresh air to read the above - from an Israeli newspaper, Haaretz. Read the full article here.
As the article concludes:
"Life under the anomaly of an occupation regime produces strange solutions, such as the presence of women alongside soldiers in an effort to ensure a more humane routine. The human rights organizations are the state's pride, not a threat that must be liquidated or minimized".
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