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printable version - js reader version - view hidden posts - tags and related articles

How Jewish is Israel?

by repost Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 6:19 AM

Israel is still largely shaped by the unresolved trauma of its birth

How Jewish is Israel...
hebron_checkpoint.jpg, image/jpeg, 471x299

By Tony Karon

My favorite Israeli newspaper Haaretz (the best paper in the Middle East, along with Lebanon’s Daily Star) asked me to contribute to a debate in their pages on the question of Jewish identity, sparked by the author A.B. Yehoshua’s recent ruffling of feathers in the U.S. by reiterating the long-time Zionist claim that Jewish identity can’t survive outside of a Jewish state. My own response was to turn the question on its head, and ask whether Israel, in fact, is able to live up to the ethical challenges at the heart of Judaism. Extract:

If we concede A.B. Yehoshua’s claim that Israel is the source of Jewish identity in today’s world, we reduce Jewish identity to a conversation between anti-Semitism and a blood-and-soil nationalism that is Jewish only in the sense that anti-Semites use the term i.e., racial. But if, instead, we define “Jewish” on the basis of the universal ethical challenges at the core of Judaism, then not only is the Diaspora an essential condition of Jewishness, but Israel’s own claim to a Jewish identity is open to question.

The idea that the modern State of Israel expresses some ageless desire among Jews across the Diaspora to live in a Jewish nation state is wishful thinking. Before the Holocaust, Zionism had been a minority tendency among Western Jews, and scarcely existed among those living in the Muslim world. And a half century after Israel’s emergence, most of us choose freely to live, as Jews have for centuries, among the nations. That choice is becoming increasingly popular among Israeli Jews, too: 750,000 at last count - hardly surprising in an age of accelerated globalization that feeds dozens of diasporas and scorns national boundaries.

The State of Israel was created by an act of international law in 1948, largely in response to the Holocaust. It was violently rejected by an Arab world that saw it as a new Western conquest of the territory over which so much blood had been spilled to defend Muslim sovereignty during the Crusades, so like most nation states Israel had to fight its way into existence. Its victory came at the expense of another people, whose dispossession was the precondition for Israel achieving an ethnic Jewish majority. And the conflict fueled by the unresolved trauma of its birth has condemned the Jewish state to behave in ways that mock the progressive Zionist dream of Israel fulfilling the biblical injunction to Jews to be a “light unto the nations.”

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LATEST COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
Listed below are the 10 latest comments of 178 posted about this article.
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TITLE AUTHOR DATE
Kalandia Checkpoint repost Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 8:34 AM
heroes Meyer London Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 8:49 AM
Anti-Zionist sarcasm is for naught Scapegoated Jew Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 9:04 AM
Balance Becky Johnson Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 10:20 AM
$200 billion and counting spent on Iraq Scapegoated Jew Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 10:32 AM
$200 billion and counting spent on Israel's enemy, on Israel's behalf. enough is enough Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Baloney Scapegoated Jew Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 11:31 AM
"I don't buy it." we didn't expect him to Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 11:43 AM
'nessie'-obsessie, you just had an emotional slip Scapegoated Jew Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 11:48 AM
Learning to parse remedial English Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 11:52 AM
Learning to dissect remedial English Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 11:58 AM
Jews, Israel, and the need for refuge Becky Johnson Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 12:46 PM
The Perspective of historical context Scapegoated Jew Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 1:18 PM
"the need for refuge" another Zionist lie Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 3:24 PM
"We like Jews here" more anti-Zionist lies Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 3:32 PM
more gibberish here they go again Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 3:36 PM
"more gibberish" here he goes again Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 3:37 PM
People who do stuff like this still trying to drown out the truth Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 3:43 PM
A person who says stuff like that still trying to drown out the truth Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 3:47 PM
There they go again heard it before Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 3:56 PM
a racist is a racist.... Tia Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 4:57 PM
definition webster Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 5:07 PM
better definition merriam-webster Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 5:10 PM
I love Monty Python Sheepdog Sunday, Jun. 11, 2006 at 5:58 PM
on that picture of the 3 Stooges (Carter,etc.) Meyer London Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 7:18 AM
Apparently you know whereof you speak Scapegoated Jew Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 7:36 AM
educate yourself Meyer London Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 8:05 AM
"Not that I've got no delusions about London. London's not waiting for me" Scapegoated Jew Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 8:31 AM
Schtarker Yid Black September Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 10:52 AM
If Israel is against fascism, Meyer London Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 12:31 PM
SchtarkerYid or could it be Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 12:50 PM
enemy of my enemy Meyer London Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 1:34 PM
Schtarker Yid and the Soviets and the PLO? Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 1:37 PM
ostensibly odd bedfellows Scapegoated Jew Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 1:41 PM
neo-nazis? Meyer London Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 1:58 PM
Schtarker Yid So are the Baathists Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 2:02 PM
Soviets? Meyer London Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 2:03 PM
SchtarkerYid Thats a crock! Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 2:33 PM
London strikes out on two issues Scapegoated Jew Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 2:41 PM
changing th subject again typical Zionist ploy Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 3:18 PM
Schtarker Yid Anti-zionists hate getting caught Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 3:23 PM
changing the subject again typical anti-Zionist ploy Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 3:25 PM
SchtarkerYid Wrong again Patrick Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 3:30 PM
"The topic for a moment had been" see what I mean? Wednesday, Jun. 14, 2006 at 3:48 PM
get over yourself gehrig Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 3:25 AM
In the spirit of changing the subject: Muslim official: Jewish temples existed Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 4:28 AM
back to the subject of Israel? Meyer London Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 6:11 AM
SchtarkerYid More Arab fascism Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 6:32 AM
"the topic of any thread is only what nessie says" another Zionist lie Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 7:39 AM
SchtarkerYid contentless Nessie droppings Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 7:45 AM
get over yourself again, nessie gehrig Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 7:50 AM
"The topic of the thread is what the person who started the thread says it is" another anti-Zionist lie Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 7:51 AM
after all gehrig Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 7:51 AM
Nessie, are you ever right? Tia Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 7:57 AM
This is *exactly* our intent. SF-IMCista Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 8:10 AM
Without focus, we can learn nothing. Tia Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 8:13 AM
'nessie' lies with a staight face Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 8:22 AM
Again. Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 8:34 AM
definitions of race dictionary .com Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 8:40 AM
SchtarkerYid American obsession with skin color Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:06 AM
So Jews ~are~ a race then? Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:10 AM
Whats so shoddy? Tia Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:15 AM
Prefer whatever you like. Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:17 AM
Tia, why don't you answer the question? Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:20 AM
Chosen Chosen Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:21 AM
"We don't need no" a racist is a racist is a racist Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:32 AM
Ryan's friends are at it again Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:32 AM
"We don't need no" nesie is an anti-Zionist is a racist Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:42 AM
I understand that. Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:47 AM
you say tomato, I say tomato Tia Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:55 AM
SchtarkerYid No, just wrong again Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:56 AM
Rubbish Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:57 AM
You're quite the wordsmith, goatscaper. Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 10:07 AM
"First off, by your logic also anti-zionism is racism because its foremost faction&qu another Zionist lie Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 10:09 AM
I like Goatscaper. Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 10:12 AM
SchtarkerYid you've got it backwards Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 10:17 AM
As I already implied, he's intellectually stunted Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 10:21 AM
yo Ryan Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 10:28 AM
SchtarkerYid Todah Chaver Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 10:36 AM
Zionism vs. Palestinism (sic) Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 10:50 AM
SchtarkerYid thats not what they say Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 11:02 AM
You say "hooey" and it comes to pass? Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 11:06 AM
I get it. Lunchbox Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Freudian slip in reverse Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 11:17 AM
The spammer/s can't stand being debunked Scapegoated Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Jews are superior Jews are superior Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 11:26 AM
The bible's prophecies serve as the basis for our claim Proud Jew Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 11:39 AM
SchtarkerYid Same spammer Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 12:02 PM
Spam War Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 12:51 PM
left one out Free Palestine Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Scapegoated Jew Sure thing 'toady' Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 1:07 PM
Who is more likely to be telling the truth about oppression, one more time Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 8:21 PM
Logical fallacy. debate coach Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 4:07 AM
who gehrig Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 4:28 AM
"by debate coach Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 7:07 AM " there they go again Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:09 AM
"Argumentum ad misercordiam" wrong Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:14 AM
bunk logic debate coach Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:21 AM
Well, then to answer your question. history buff Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:30 AM
SchtarkerYid From the people that brought us Pallywood Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:47 AM
No one who has been paying attention more Zionist lies Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:54 AM
SchtarkerYid contentless Nessie droppings Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:57 AM
"Nessie" off topic Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 7:00 AM
Rimshot! you crack me up Yid! Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 7:11 AM
Palestinians are subhuman Yes Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 8:12 AM
SchtarkerYid Spammer is back Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 8:33 AM
Promised Chosen for us Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 8:55 AM
SchtarkerYid Spammer is back Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:02 AM
Cannot be denied The law is for all Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:06 AM
SchtarkerYid Spammer is back Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:23 AM
SchtarkerYid Thats enough spammer kid Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:29 AM
SchtarkerYid Sounds like jealousy now Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:37 AM
Don't be jealous of our specialness Don't be jealous of our specialness Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:38 AM
SchtarkerYid uh, kid, your'e just a spammer Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:41 AM
SchtarkerYid uh, kid, your'e just a spammer Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:43 AM
We are chosen We are special Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:44 AM
SchtarkerYid uh, kid, your'e just a spammer Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:52 AM
Explanation for our divine right Explanation for our divine right Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:54 AM
SchtarkerYid uh, kid, your'e just a spammer Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:01 AM
It says we are chosen He prefers us Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:14 AM
SchtarkerYid Are you done spamming now kid? Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:15 AM
Jews are superior We are chosen Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:17 AM
SchtarkerYid Are you done spamming now kid? Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:18 AM
Never again!!! Never again!!! Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:19 AM
SchtarkerYid Are you done spamming now kid? Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:20 AM
They must repent Repent for your antisemitism Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:22 AM
SchtarkerYid Are you done spamming now kid? Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:24 AM
SchtarkerYid Are you done spamming now kid? Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:35 AM
You know... Lunchbox Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:51 AM
SchtarkerYid OK, lets try Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:53 AM
"Honest", Ryan?! That's hilarious Scapegoated Jew Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 11:06 AM
"by history buff Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 9:30 AM " there they go again Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 12:18 PM
"by there they go again Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 3:18 PM there he goes again Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 12:25 PM
SchtarkerYid What woud Nessie know about the truth? Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 1:40 PM
"Nessie" off topic Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 3:13 PM
furthermore......... nessie Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 5:37 PM
"by nessie Thursday, Jun. 15, 2006 at 8:37 PM " there they go again Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 5:57 PM
Hey nessie Sgt. Joe Friday Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:02 PM
not very original [yawn] Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:18 PM
You don't get it, do you? psychoanalyst Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:27 PM
"I'm just pushing your buttons." mmmmmmmm, buttons Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 6:55 PM
"baby" psychoanalyst Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 7:15 PM
"I don't swing like that" oh, really? Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 7:57 PM
"That's not what I hear." psychoanalyst Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 8:09 PM
nessie Missed it by THAT much, Chief. Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:54 PM
"by makes ya wonder, huh? Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 9:35 AM " noise Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 7:41 AM
"anti-Zionist specialty." just wondering Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 8:00 AM
SchtarkerYid High school idiot? Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 8:15 AM
"the masters of black propaganda that we know the Zionists to be" curious Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 8:45 AM
"What makes you think it was posted by a Zionist" there they go again Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 8:59 AM
"Once more they prove my point." there he goes again Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 9:03 AM
Never forgot the Ma'alot massacre Never forgot the Ma'alot massacre Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 10:29 AM
there they go again see what I mean? Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 10:36 AM
Never forgot the Ma'alot massacre Never forgot the Ma'alot massacre Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 10:41 AM
"by there he goes again Friday, Jun. 16, 2006 at 12:03 PM" see what I mean? Saturday, Jun. 17, 2006 at 1:30 PM
Context Becky Johnson Sunday, Jun. 18, 2006 at 7:07 AM
SchtarkerYid Palestinians insisting on sitting in the dar Monday, Jun. 19, 2006 at 10:24 AM
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