I would like to know what you think about the direction in which Israel seems to be heading?

I’m sure they’re following the neocons’ example to some extent, which is usually the road to ruin. But they are frustrated, just like their neighbors are frustrated. A problem is they’ve bought into this malignant illiberal nationalism.

Who knows? There is a good chance that they might not exist in a few decades. Not saying that would be a good thing – it probably won’t be – but they are little and they are pissing a lot of people off.

I would say nothing really changed as Israel is proceeding down a path it chose a long time ago. It is a tough spot to be in, expecially when there are literally millions of armchair generals/diplomats/whatev. trying to tell you how to better run your country.

In my opinion instead of looking for what went wrong, it would be far better to try and work out how to make things better, how to put an end to the middle-east tragedy once and for all. It is easy to blame either side, but by now, imho, after so much blood has been spilled it just does not make any sense.

I think it is a failure of the international community for not having resolved the matter earlier. Israel and the neighbouring middle-eastern states should be forced to work out a deal by the rest of the world – easier said than done, sadly.

Here is my solution:

Jerusalem should be made into a free city / a city-state with its own security forces.
That way nobody gets to “have” it, but all have access to the holy city.

Palestine should be given independence, they have fought long and hard for this.

Once the borders for both states have been agreed upon each side signs an agreement recognizing they will not contest what has been decided there and will work together to foster a peaceful coexistence. Neighboring states will co-sign, guaranteeing they will help enforce the peace between the two former adversaries. The UN will oversee the process for as long as it takes for the region to stabilize.

Many have tried this, I know, but we cannot give up on either the Israelis or the Palestinians, because as much as they might shun foreign interference in this, they also need it the most right now. It’s time for the “elder siblings” to step in and sort things out.

I completely disagree democracy is fading in America and Israel. Both countries are committed to democracy. Just because there are some extreme people in government does not mean the government is moving away from democracy, it just means the citizens have voted in some extreme people, but the voting itself is the essence of democracy. They can eventually be voted out.

Israel is in a tough spot from what I can tell. It can not treat all its citizens equally, because they cannot trust Arab citizens to defend her. There is an argument to be had that if they were accepted as full fledged Israelis in every realm, the Arab citizens would feel more of a commitment to identify with Israel. But there is always the problem that it is a Jewish nation, as opposed to America which is a secular government with freedom of religion. Of course Israel also has freedom of religion for its citizens, but it is still a Jewish state.

Most Israelis are in favor of a Palestinian state, want peace for all, and wish no harm on Palestinians. I am still hopeful there will be peace.

You are right about democracy. It seems that there is a finite amount to go around so as Middle Eastern and South American countries gain democracy, it’s reduced here and other former democracies. I addressed the problem with Israel before and was completely shot down. It seems that one our losses is the ability to criticize Israel. One of the problems is the growing influence of strictly religious Jews. They consider themselves Rabbis and assume that they can breed as many children as they want and be taken care of by the state. Not only do they demand state support, they demand the subservience of the secular Israeli citizens. I have spoken to several secular Jews from Israel and they worry for their state and their liberty.

The same type of people in the U.S. under the guise of fundamentalist Christians claim the same prerogatives in this country. They are loud, violent, and self centered and their very existence is an affront to democracy.

Democracy in the United States has been eroded by the power of big money. Who will stand for election and what policies they will represent is negotiated behind the scenes not so much with representatives of the people but with representatives of big business.

Israel cannot call itself a democracy while it tolerates settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. A democratic state has a responsibility for the welfare of all its citizens, especially minorities.

@Ron_C But, don’t you fnd it ironic that the very Chrisians making the afront to democracy in our country are the ones who basically are crying “witch.” They accuse the other side of being undemocratic and eroding the American way.

@JLeslie I assume that limiting prayers and where you put a nativity scene is anti-democratic. Limiting or abolishing abortions, insisting that religious institutions that receive government money should have no strings attached, and opposing gay marriage, adoption, or any civil rights is “The Christian right”