So let me see if I understand the logic here. You write:
"Choosing separateness while being united to a national community is indeed an oxymoron that even Sartre had trouble rationalizing for the Diaspora Jews.
"This was known as the `Jewish question' for centuries."
Actually, where is there any sign that Sartre had trouble "rationalizing" this idea? Presumably he himself had no problem with people who had different ties, different connections to different communities, different aspects to their identity. But if you have trouble with it, then you are making an argument for Zionism! You sound a lot like Herzl, actually.
I'm afraid I don't have enough time to deal with your query re: apartheid (gotta go to dinner and that deserves a thoughtful response).
I don't think it is true that "in a few decades" Israel's Arab citizens will be in the majority. Where did that estimate come from? At any rate, I think the lack of equality and the treatment Israel's Arabs have received is shameful. It is a terrible problem and I don't know how to solve it. Do you? Do you think Israel should be obliterated? Or should the Israeli Jews switch roles and become a minority in a bi-national state, surrounded by an Arab majority that will include people who are certainly be no less hostile to them than Lieberman is to Israeli Arabs?
The kind of automony for Israel's Arabs that is discussed in today's NY Times is something that should at least be discussed.
Devil's Advocate,
So let me see if I understand the logic here. You write:
"Choosing separateness while being united to a national community is indeed an oxymoron that even Sartre had trouble rationalizing for the Diaspora Jews.
"This was known as the `Jewish question' for centuries."
Actually, where is there any sign that Sartre had trouble "rationalizing" this idea? Presumably he himself had no problem with people who had different ties, different connections to different communities, different aspects to their identity. But if you have trouble with it, then you are making an argument for Zionism! You sound a lot like Herzl, actually.
I'm afraid I don't have enough time to deal with your query re: apartheid (gotta go to dinner and that deserves a thoughtful response).
I don't think it is true that "in a few decades" Israel's Arab citizens will be in the majority. Where did that estimate come from? At any rate, I think the lack of equality and the treatment Israel's Arabs have received is shameful. It is a terrible problem and I don't know how to solve it. Do you? Do you think Israel should be obliterated? Or should the Israeli Jews switch roles and become a minority in a bi-national state, surrounded by an Arab majority that will include people who are certainly be no less hostile to them than Lieberman is to Israeli Arabs?
The kind of automony for Israel's Arabs that is discussed in today's NY Times is something that should at least be discussed.