Israel bans Arab from running in elections!

I am David · 12-30-2002, 04:19 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/2616307.stm

Wow I am so distressed. Israel must not be a democracy because it has decided not to let an Arab run who may not be thinking in Israel's intrests! There seems to be some outrage at this, as if this is a sign of Israel not being a democracy, and discrimination and racism against Arabs. Some other forums I visit act like this too, and all I have to say is that it is mind numbing to think about this idiocy. I think these people must form their opinions before they see any news, and, once the news is out, try and contort and skew it so that it fits their pre-formed views.

elke · 12-31-2002, 01:46 AM

David, every country has a right to expect absolute loyalty from its citizens, especially from the citizens who will be in the government, and thus privy to national security information. This loyalty does not require full agreement among all the candidates (that's just totalitarianism), but it does require that the citizens act in what they believe is in the best interests of their country.

Therefore, it depends on what is the reason for this gentleman to be disqualified: for example, if he is calling for the destruction of Israel, either military or demographic, then he is indeed disloyal to the country and should not be allowed to run. What's more, he should be watched carefully, to make sure that he doesn't commit treason.

L@mplighterM · 12-31-2002, 02:25 PM

It was an election committee that voted (isnâ€™t voting democratic) to not allow Tibe to run from office. Based on what I read and considering all the circumstances I think that the decision to ban him was fair.

I am David · 12-31-2002, 02:34 PM

Unfortunatly others do not think the same. I have been to a group online who thinks Israel is a racist state because of this, even though he was banned because his views posed a danger to Israel and not because he was Arab. When you point this out to them the just ignore it in any way they can, it's mind numbing I tell you. Just goes to show how desperate the opposition is.

L@mplighterM · 12-31-2002, 03:18 PM

Suppose a war breaks out or the most of the Knesset members are killed and this Tibi is next in the chain of command. Itâ€™s an unlikely scenario but theoretically it could happen. Like elke pointed out this guy would end up being a major security risk to the State of Israel and he could spell the end of it.

Iâ€™m sure that the Arab/Muslims will do a lot of belly aching but if they like their political systems better then they should move there.

localbrew · 12-31-2002, 03:21 PM

If an election committee can decide who can run and who canâ€™t then it isnâ€™t much of a democracy is it? But then Israel does not have a constitution either does it.

Maybe, just maybe Israel should reconsider allowing Arabs to be citizens. What will happen in say 20 years when Israeli citizens will comprise a huge number of Arab people? The beginning of the end?

Rob · 12-31-2002, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by localbrew
If an election committee can decide who can run and who canâ€™t then it isnâ€™t much of a democracy is it? But then Israel does not have a constitution either does it.

Maybe, just maybe Israel should reconsider allowing Arabs to be citizens. What will happen in say 20 years when Israeli citizens will comprise a huge number of Arab people? The beginning of the end?

When a country is at war it has to do things that are in it's best interest. That is what Israel is doing and rightfully so.

As far as a constitution goes, England doesn't have one either so whats your point? Are you saying England is not a democracy?

**Mediocrates** · 12-31-2002, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by localbrew
If an election committee can decide who can run and who canâ€™t then it isnâ€™t much of a democracy is it? But then Israel does not have a constitution either does it.

Maybe, just maybe Israel should reconsider allowing Arabs to be citizens. What will happen in say 20 years when Israeli citizens will comprise a huge number of Arab people? The beginning of the end?

Political parties decide that extralegally with no recourse. Is that better?

L@mplighterM · 12-31-2002, 04:05 PM

A democracy isnâ€™t threatened just because one or two individuals are bared from running for political office by an election committee. There are always the courts that could act as the final arbitrator. Iâ€™m certain that the courts would/could act expediently to give its thumbs up or thumbs down in this matter.

Whether a country has a constitution or not is moot.

**NewsGuy** · 12-31-2002, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by I am David
Some other forums I visit act like this too, and all I have to say is that it is mind numbing to think about this idiocy. I think these people must form their opinions before they see any news, and, once the news is out, try and contort and skew it so that it fits their pre-formed views.

Right, some people have no idea that a democracy need not accept the candidacy of a traitor like Azmi Bashara, who supports the destruction of Israel.

I only regret that Israel is too liberal of a democracy not to throw Bashara and Tibi in jail.

For a discussion about Bishara and the reason he is disqualified, check out this:

http://www.israelforum.com/board/sho...id=119#post119

I am David · 12-31-2002, 05:28 PM

I am curious, it seems other people are claiming that Marzel is just as much a danger as Tibi because he advocates the killing of Arabs, so therefore Israel is racist in excluding Tibi but not Marzel. Does this make any sense?

**NewsGuy** · 12-31-2002, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by I am David
I am curious, it seems other people are claiming that Marzel is just as much a danger as Tibi because he advocates the killing of Arabs, so therefore Israel is racist in excluding Tibi but not Marzel. Does this make any sense?

No, Marzel does not advocate the "Killing of Arabs." That is simply not true.

Where did you get that?

I am David · 12-31-2002, 06:40 PM

They said that since he is in the kach, and they kill Arabs, and he leads the kach...

Also he celebrated the death of Goldstein who killed lots of innocent Arabs, so it looks like hes supporting it there...

**NewsGuy** · 12-31-2002, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by I am David
They said that since he is in the kach, and they kill Arabs, and he leads the kach...

Also he celebrated the death of Goldstein who killed lots of innocent Arabs, so it looks like hes supporting it there...

No, Marzel was a member of Kach a long time ago, but he is no longer, especially since Kach was outlawed as a political party in Israel several years ago. (So the Arabs should have nothing to complain about their own terrorist-supporting parties being banned).

Marzel is currently a member of the Herut party and has not broken any of Israel's laws -- unlike the Arabs MKs. That's the difference.

I am David · 12-31-2002, 07:25 PM

Interesting, and your knowledge is greatly apreciated. But still doesn't he condone killing of Arabs when he celebrates the death of the murder who killed them?