Sorry but the war in Gaza does not justify anti-semitic abuse or placards with swastikas on!

[YaddaYaddaYadda]

I've just spoken to a friend who went on the march in London today and feel physically sick at what she told me about some of the anti-semitic comments and chants she heard. She also told me about people carrying home made placards with swastikas intertwined with a star of david. I know people feel very strongly but how is this level of racial hatred justified??

He might also be referring to Israel's success in integrating very disparate people into one nation and community to make a stronger economy with less social unrest than Egypt and Jordan. There is definitely a lot of social inequality within Israel between a lot of those who came from the Arab countries and those from Europe but it's not the same simmering pot and poverty levels as the neighbouring countries which might suggest they are doing something right. It could also refer to the successful integration of the Druze tribe (who are not Jewish) but serve as officers in the IDF, and the Bedouins who continue pretty much as they do in all the surrounding countries.

I think you're right on one level, certainly about the common ground for agreeing what constitutes inhumane behaviour.

I think it's one of those situations where you can say something but how it is meant depends on what you also say or don't say.

For eg what concerns me is when people say, you'd think the Jews would know better, and they don't mean it in a gently reflective historical way, because they then go on to make other comments which quite clearly set the Jews apart in a negative way.

Similarly, I'd have issues with Israelis using their history to justify inhumane behaviour.

Arabs within Israel as opposed to Palestinians do tend to have less social opportunities and are treated differently. But efforts are and continue to be made to have fuller integration like joint Arab-Israeli schools. There are Arab MKs (members of parliament). Again if you compare their rights with those in neighbouring Arab countries they often have rights not found there like women having the vote and more of a recourse against domestic violence and honour killings.

I'm not saying it's ideal and there isn't a lot of work to be done. But it's not the apartheid society which many would like to portray it as.

Israel and Gaza rhetoric and reality

Message withdrawn

"Europe is glad Israel was created because all those Jews can stay in one place and not be so troublesome to them anymore. "

Er - isn't that a bit of a nasty and pejorative generalisation? I'm a European, and I'm pretty offended by that - it doesn't represent me.

Rev, I was talking about European governments.

Why on earth would they want to deal with thousands and thousands of displaced Jewish people from Israel, if they, as one poster on here suggested the Israelis all "pack their bags and leave,"

It was more to point out that it's not possible for Israelis to pack their bags and leave. Where would they go?

Hmmm, I can't see any government being willing to absorb thousands upon thousands of refugees!