Comments on: Egypt: Bloggers on the Fence

By: War in Gaza Update #13 « Random Thoughts- Do They Have Meaning?

War in Gaza Update #13 « Random Thoughts- Do They Have Meaning? — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:42:27 +0000

[...] Lady Light asks What can We do When Israel is at War. At Global Voices you can read Egypt: Bloggers on the Fence. [...]

By: Manus

Manus — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:47:07 +0000

@Peter

If there was a logical explanation to these bizarre statistics, they will be based on the assumption that the settlers in the west-bank seem to represent the Jewish Orthodox brand of classical Judaism. Therefore, even assuming that Palestine will be a secular democratic state, I do not believe that the supporters of Gush Emunim or people like Gilad Zar will accept to live under a Palestinian authority. This will be heresy as far as these groups of settlers are concerned.

By: Manus

Manus — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:25:45 +0000

@Lane
For what it’s worth, the word you’ve translated as “residents” (MO9IMEEN ) should be “Inhabitants” (SUKKAN). Also, by using a medieval term (DHIMMI) you are implying that the new Palestinian state will have a 6th century fiscal system that practised Jizya. Most Arab countries have a secular legal systems inspired from Franco-British jurisprudence. The only two exceptions Iran and Saudi-Arabia do not practise Jizya. If you are looking for an ethnocracy Israel will be your best candidate.

By: Lane

Lane — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:34:35 +0000

For what it’s worth, I think in the last posting (the poll, in Arabic), the word you’ve translated as “settlers” should be “residents” (sukkan). The poll is asking whether all Jewish *residents* should be forced out, left to become dhimmi, etc, not just what we in English call settlers (now confined to the West Bank).

By: Manus

Manus — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:49:17 +0000

@Peter
Human rights and morality as well as realpolitiks are facing a critical test at the moment. To talk about having restrained or moderate opinions when we are witnessing this carnage will be just confusing at the moment. I do not believe that we have reached that stage yet. Also, would any Israeli government be capable of striking any type of deal with the Palestinians? I do not believe that the Israeli political system is able to deal with the concept of land for peace. After all, Israel is an ethnocratic theocracy with universal suffrage and any kind of coalition with the religious parties will end by the collapse of the government. No resolution allowing a viable Palestinian State will be carried out through the Knesset and that without the prospect of a referendum which will surely end with a “NO”. I do not believe that peace is feasible even if Hamas/Arafat/Whatever no longer exists or has never existed.

By: Peter H

Peter H — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:55:10 +0000

I am an American Jew who supports Palestinian rights & resolutely opposes the Israeli operations against Gaza. I have to say, though, I find it disturbing that 34% of Amr Gharbeia’s readers favor some kind of solution where “The Jewish settlers leave Palestine”.