What does the Palestinian birth rate have to do with the Jewish population world wide? They've increased in numbers substantially since Israel's inception, what makes you think that means anything?
There are 1 million Palestinians in Israel at the moment, whereas there are about 6 million Jews. At this rate, it would take the Palestinians about 300 years to become a majority in Israel.
I'm primarily focused on Israel's population. Jews in other parts of the world may choose to live there. They may not.
Population growth is exponential. Higher Birthrates usually don't take that long. ...Look at Northern Ireland. (Yes, I know Jews are tired of that comparison.) 90% Protestant, is now roughly 53%. ...That's with no Catholic Immigration, purely on Birthrate differentials. That's in 2-3 generations.
...Well we may have to agree to disagree on this one. And please don't include me in the anti-Israel crowd. I don't consider myself anti-Israel, even if I may believe a different approach may have better results for Israel.
What the wacky kids on college campuses protest usually doesn't come about immediately, but does in about 20 years. They ARE the future leaders of this country. ...They should not be dismissed as unimportant, but have their concerns addressed, to maintain a strong relation between Israel and the United States. ...Their concerns and objections are not inherently unaddressable.
(A multi-cultural philosophy is also essential to gain world support, and Palestinian consent for incorporation of the West Bank.)
Well, I have have two viewpoints on this.
On the one hand, I completely agree with you. You don't have to have Europe's consent. There are plenty of other countries Israel can form a close bond with. I think India might be a good one, although most Hindu's and Jewish people I know are VERY different culturally. (People with class aspirations versus Mensch.) Asia has many nations that would appreciate Israel's people and industriousness. I'm definitely not implying a European standard for this.
At the same time, I don't think Europe should be dismissed. They have something valid to say, even if their passions are influenced by the history of the Holocaust. For a long time, in the United States, the North dismissed the South's input regarding race relations. The South was seen as "failures" regarding race. Or as having "inherently unhealthy attitudes". But the irony is, that the South DID and DOES have a lot of useful input regarding race relations. It's a far more diverse place then the North that criticized it. (I'm from the North.) ...So too does Europe have many lessons taken to heart about what ethnic conflict can do, what makes it escalate, and what makes it decline. More so then the United States. It would be unwise to dismiss Europe.
Get him in here!!! I want to talk with him! (He could answer a lot of my questions.)
Well, yes. All those problems exist. But for as many that bitch about it, there are just as many who brag. It's not an entirely healthy self-perception.
...But still. It's better then it was 20 years ago, and will be better still 20 years from now.
They feel forgotten? ...I feel it's more likely that they've forgotten to do their math homework.
All kidding aside, very slowly but surely a Black middle and upperclass has been emerging. Contributers to American Society, and culture. America is the better for it. We have a much more healthy understanding of how racial and ethnic identity can intertwine with other factors to make it one confusing mess. (A mess that can be sorted out.)
Keep in mind it usually takes a generation to properly integrate. Common schooling, experience, etc. Israel is a young country. The second generation integrates even closer then the first. I doubt if any of the ethnic immigrants have really had much time to aculturate.
And frankly speaking, what the Palestinians want, is not the most important thing in the world at this point. They have some of their own struggles to overcome before what they say is important. They probably don't like it, because it very effectively puts a lot of pressure on them to integrate into a Hebrew speaking Israel. It is ironic that while they don't like that, ultimately that integration is what will lead them to be part of a very successful country with many benefits.
Palestinians should welcome these ethnic groups. They show a Hebrew culture commited to welcoming many people.
(I couldn't navigate to the link. ...If you repost it, I'll definitely take a look.)
There will always be Jews who marry Jews and preserve the ethnic identity of the people. There is no risk of that. But such immigrant populations would serve as very very important ties to building strong relations to other countries, and making Israel the strong independant international force that it should be.
The fears you list are similar to the fears many Americans had when immigration started introducing many non-Whites over here.
Well, unless you're from Norway, you're pretty much all a bunch of Negroes to me. ...Ok, just kidding.
Thanks for helping me understand a little bit better the differences between Semetic and Arab peoples and culture. ...I can always stand to learn a little bit more about the region, and can use a little more education.
Ah, here we get the real scoop. It's not that Palestinians don't like it. ...It's that YOU don't like it!!!
Like I said, the 2nd and 3rd generations integrate much more. They dont' have to integrate entirely, or intermarry, as long as they all speak Hebrew.
I can appreciate your potential importance in Israeli society. (If you moved there.) You are a Semetic person, who is pro-Israel. A validation of Israel's purpose in the region. The justification that Israel is not a force of domination, but of incorporation of existing people. But Israel's culture needs to go beyond that. It needs to reach out accross the globe. Israel should be the nexus for a global people, with global ties.
I think it's pretty clear that ideally, I feel it's Israel's "culture" that should triumph. An inclusive culture that will have many many ethnic Jews, as well as good friends of Jewish and Semetic people. It would behoove Israel to be a place that is a strong culture, but an open welcoming culture, and one that has room for many ethnicities, who are serious about work and success. ...This will help Israel be the economic powerhouse it richly deserves to be.
We clearly differ on some philosophies, but we both want good things for Israel. I really do feel the power of a culturally open Israel is not to be underestimated.
Yeah. But again, it's probably because Israeli's agree with what I'm saying about the importance of culture over ethnicity. ...I've read that the Russians have been deridingly called "Paint Thiner". ...To make the Ahsekanazi Jews feel better. Sounds pretty funny to me!
I guess the Russians don't mind serving in some of the more unsavory military duties. ...And they probably appreciate warm sunny weather. ...Who cares if they used to torture the Jewish intelligencia in the Gulags. Water under the bridge I guess.