Yasser Arafat:he"definitely"understands that Israel must retain its Jewish

[papau]

Yasser Arafat:he"definitely"understands that Israel must retain its Jewish character - seems right of return is finally getting realistic
:-)

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB3HXA9MVD.html

Israel Plans Remote-Control Border After a Withdrawal From Gaza Strip
By Ramit Plushnick-Masti Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM (AP) - The Israeli army envisions a "remote control" border with the Gaza Strip after a troop withdrawal, including unmanned patrol cars and computerized observation posts that would automatically spot and kill attackers, a military official said Friday.

The technology already exists, but the plan hasn't been approved yet, and fallback options are being considered, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Also Friday, Yasser Arafat was quoted as saying he "definitely" understands that Israel must retain its Jewish character - a rare acknowledgment by the Palestinian leader. However, Arafat was evasive when asked by the Haaretz daily about the fate of more than 4 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

In peace talks, the Palestinians have insisted that Israel recognize the refugees' "right of return." Israel refuses, saying a mass influx of Palestinians will undermine the Jewish character of the state. The dispute has contributed to the collapse of negotiations in the past.

In the interview with Haaretz, Arafat suggested that many refugees could settle in a future Palestinian state, but refused to say how many should be allowed into Israel. <snip>

[David__77]

1. As long as Israel views its Arab citizens as a demographic threat...

...Israel's moral authority is undermined around the world. The future of nation-states is to transcend ethnicity, especially for self-said democracies.

[papau]

2. From your post to God's ear - and could he speed up the process?

Currently we have black on brown in Sudan, black on lighter black in Liberia, Muslim on Christain in many parts of Africa and Asia, vilage/tribe wars in some parts of Africa/Asia, tribe/color wars in South America and India.

to transcend ethnicity seems a hard thing to accomplish in many places at this point in time.

:-)

[The Magistrate]

3. It Is Also, Sir

Rather contrary to the basic roots of the concept. Nation-states are rooted in ethnic identity and culturally homogenous arrangements: it is in the nature of the beast, so to speak. The nearest thing to an exception to this are not "democracies", but those states founded as colonies in the classic sense of fresh fields for expanding population in the heyday of European imperialism, that contain today popularions almost wholly immigrant in origin. These states originally retained distinct ethnic identity with the establishing country, but have in several cases rather widened their sources of immigration, so that in the United States, for example, the English, and even the British elements of the population are no longer predominant. This circumstance is far from the general case, and is unlikely to prove the model for the future. Animal nature rather argues against it, and that is a damned powerful force in politics....

[bemildred]

4. Yes Sir.

There is no political advantage to be had by saying
we are all as alike a peas in a pod, but plenty to be
had in pointing out and exaggerating those differences
that do exist, the more imaginary the better too.

[papau]

5. Well said , Magistrate. And good to see you're posting.

I always enjoy reading your posts.

:-)