WITH reference to Levette Callander's letter (May 27), it has been a long time since I have encountered such a lack of knowledge of the Jewish State. Ms Callender is guilty of sweeping statements such as "the atrocities committed in Gaza", which if any, lie at the feet of Hamas which hid behind women and children, and built strongholds in hospitals, schools, mosques and UN compounds: tactics now adopted by Jihadists all over.
Ms Callander, however, asks two pertinent questions which I shall address:
First, "why does Israeli law prevent Palestinian wives from living in Israel with their Israeli husbands?" This is a baseless accusation with the aim of demonising Jerusalem which implements a policy of family reunification.
Secondly, "why are there 1.5 million Palestinians living in Israel as second-class citizens, with a further four million plus not citizens at all?" The commitment to egalitarianism in the 1948 Israel Declaration of Independence is scrupulously adhered to, as can be seen in all walks of life: in the Israel Parliament where 17 Arabs are proudly serving in the Knesset and free to criticise and insult the Jewish State. This appears to be their raison d'etre. Israeli Arabs also serve in the Israel defence forces, the foreign service, Israeli police, they are heads of medicine in Israeli hospitals, businessmen, journalists, diplomats, soccer stars, musicians, supermarket and bank employees, professors at Israeli universities, television celebrities and more. A previous Miss Israel is an Arab. Salim Joubran is a judge on the Supreme Court. George Karra was the presiding judge in the trial of Israel President Moshe Katsav and sent him to rot in jail. It is also worthwhile mentioning that last week, we had the football Premier League championship between an Arab club, Bnei Sachnin, and a Jewish one, Hapoel Beersheva. Both teams are made of Jewish and Arab players who live and compete harmoniously.
If Ms Callander considers the 1.5 million Arabs living in Israel to be second-class citizens then she herself is a second -lass citizen in Dumbarton. She is, however right on "the four million-plus not citizens at all". They simply don't want to be Israelis and it's better this way for all concerned.
Israeli Arabs contribute to every aspect of life as full and equal members of society. Israel’s minorities live with freedoms and rights unavailable in any other country in the Middle East thanks to Israel’s liberal democratic values.
A Soudry,
4/1 King Saul Street, Netanya, Israel.
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