Kerry's comment on Israel maybe becoming an apartheid state: right or wrong?

[Ken Burch]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by NYC_SKP (a host of the General Discussion forum).

Also, do you think he was right to back down on it, or not?

19 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Poll closed
	He was totally right to say it
	14 (74%)
	He was totally wrong to say it
	4 (21%)
	He was more right than wrong
	0 (0%)
	He was more wrong than right
	0 (0%)
	Other
	0 (0%)
	No opinion
	1 (5%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[Exposethefrauds]

1. Israel has been an apartheid state ever since they caged up the Palestinians into ghettos

and treat them differently from everyone else.

I guess the state of Israel does not see the irony in the way they treat the Palestinians.

[2naSalit]

2. +1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[malaise]

4. That simple

Sadly the abused often become the abuser.

[Jesus Malverde]

9. The cage they have built is their own prison too.

[NuclearDem]

13. +a bazillion.

[LittleBlue]

18. Yes. In South Africa, the open air prisons were bantustans

No matter what they're called, all are methods to deprive non-white ethnic groups from having rights.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. Too late Kerry apologized for saying it

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/world/middleeast/kerry-apologizes-for-remark-that-israel-risks-apartheid.html?_r=0



Jimmy Carter bless him did not.

[karynnj]

10. Kerry actually did not apologize for anything other than the word

He repeated the comment without the word - and it it still describes the same thing. His statement mostly defends his own history and the work that he has done for the last 30 years.

[tritsofme]

5. Definitely boneheaded. He was right to recant.

[karynnj]

8. Not boneheaded at all - in context it is the same thing Israelis have said

including their politicians and the most well known writer, Ari Shavit. Shavit actually went further than Kerry. Writing (probably last summer) in his recent book - he suggested 4 futures:
1) Two state solution - that he said most Israelis wanted ( as Kerry does)
2) an Apartheid state (and he uses the word)
3) a binational democracy that he rejects due to his liberal Zionism
4) A possibility that Kerry (thank God did not include) - to drive the Arabs out of the land altogether - and for this he used the words "ethnic cleansing"

This is currently one of the most discussed books in Jewish book groups. (Even here in Vt, not exactly the NYC area, I know of at least two groups (including a synagogue) that have discussed the book.

Kerry is right that using the word was a mistake -- but it actually may not be one long term. This is a serious issue if Israel eschews peace talks and continues to build settlements or even annexes additional areas of the West Bank as some in Netanyahu's party are pushing for. Kerry's actual comment - in context - is very a good, very serious analysis that shows why he has worked so hard for a two state solution. It is entirely likely that it will get more attention because of the uproar.

I don't think it hurts Kerry's ability to work with Israel because the comment is 100% in line with what he has always said. Netanyahu himself has praised the efforts Kerry has made.

[L0oniX]

6. IBTL

I am with Kerry on this for a change but this will be locked. It's I/P fodder.

[Jesus Malverde]

14. It sad how many DUers are afraid to speak out for fear of being labeled.

It's probably the only topic that people run away from.

The injustice is clear and so is their fear.

[Jesus Malverde]

7. Never before has their been a more one sided relationship

Our support is legion and we get NOTHING of value out of it.

[n2doc]

11. ...

[boston bean]

12. it was a stupid remark.

[KittyWampus]

15. A good friend of mine who is very liberal had no idea how carved up Palestinian territory is

when I showed him the map that makes Palestine look like swiss cheese due to the illegal settlements he was flabbergasted.

Palestinians have a hard time just moving around their own territory due to Israel.

[Jesus Malverde]

16. Not due to Illegal settlements its due to government policy...nt

[Spider Jerusalem]

21. No, it's due to illegal settlements

Israel's claims to the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem are not recognised under international law; that makes the settlements illegal by definition.

[Jesus Malverde]

22. Correct, in this context it means settlements not approved by the government.

You are 100% correct from a macro perspective.

[cherokeeprogressive]

17. I'm left wondering if this is how America's Top Diplomat should be referring to

an ally.

[Cali_Democrat]

25. Like Kerry, Senior Israeli Officials Have Warned Of Israel Becoming ‘An Apartheid State’

Like Kerry, Senior Israeli Officials Have Warned Of Israel Becoming ‘An Apartheid State’

http://thinkprogress.org/world/2014/04/28/3431375/kerry-israel-apartheid/

Those damn anti-Israel Israelis!!!11!!

[kelliekat44]

19. Excuse me, but wasn't Israel a great partner with the Apartheid government in SA?

Hasn't Bibi said more despicable comments about Obama and the American government since Obama has been president? Has anyone looked up the definition of "apartheid?" I have...and I say this...if the shoe fits better go barefoot than wear it.

[kelliekat44]

20. Kerry has risked his life for this country. He has always called it like he sees it...and been

attacked for it. Usually truth has been on his side. The shameless pandering by both Dems and GOP whenever Israeli government is criticized is enough to make one sick inside.

Right now i wish that we could be as vocal about what has happened to those 200 young girls kidnapped by terrorists in Nigeria. Innocent female children are being abused, frightened, horrified as helpless parents try to get the attention of the west. While we argue over inconvenient truths.....

[NYC_SKP]

23. Sorry, consensus of GD Hosts is to lock this, suggest reposting in the I/P forum.

Thanks for understanding.