"Israel marks its 60th birthday in a climate of increasing racism, intolerance, corruption and militarism. A nation that has long seen itself as one of the most misunderstood is now almost unable to understand the world beyond its borders. Fear and anxiety provide the mood music of the celebrations.
The past decade has brought a sharp increase in anti-Arab sentiment, which finds many forms of expression, from sordid chants at sporting events ("Death to the Arabs") to blatant racism and attacks on Arab colleagues by right-wing pol iticians in the Knesset. In such an atmosphere, it is almost impossible for Arab citizens (or 1948 Palestinians) to identify with the state of Israel, despite the terms of their legal status. Indeed, it is increasingly difficult for them even to protect their civil rights and express themselves freely in public."
A gloomy assessment and prognosis at a time when there ought to be celebrating. Haim Baram, writing in a piece "Israel's Secret Fears" in NewStatesman, explains where things are at in Israel. That the country, and things generally, cannot go as it is presently seems beyond doubt.
The past decade has brought a sharp increase in anti-Arab sentiment, which finds many forms of expression, from sordid chants at sporting events ("Death to the Arabs") to blatant racism and attacks on Arab colleagues by right-wing pol iticians in the Knesset. In such an atmosphere, it is almost impossible for Arab citizens (or 1948 Palestinians) to identify with the state of Israel, despite the terms of their legal status. Indeed, it is increasingly difficult for them even to protect their civil rights and express themselves freely in public."
A gloomy assessment and prognosis at a time when there ought to be celebrating. Haim Baram, writing in a piece "Israel's Secret Fears" in NewStatesman, explains where things are at in Israel. That the country, and things generally, cannot go as it is presently seems beyond doubt.
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