Israel, of course, has messed up again.

The Israeli cabinet recently approved the loyalty oath bill, which requires ‘new immigrants to pledge loyalty to the ‘Jewish and democratic’ state.’ Israel needs to stop pushing for loyalty within its borders because it’s beginning to look like ethnic cleansing and pure racism. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region cannot afford more bad publicity, yet Israel continues to produce heaping doses of it.

For many, the new bill would seem harmless because what country would not want to ensure loyalty from its citizens and the natural well-being of its political systems? The United States has laws against treason, so other countries should have the same capability, right?

The issue with Israel is that its new oath bill comes at a very fragile time when Israel-Palestinian peace is not looking so great. Now the Israeli Supreme Court still has to adjudicate the decision to ensure the bill doesn’t conflict with the country’s basic law.

This may be a small hint of hope for individuals against the bill, but experts in the region are saying it’ll probably be passed. Seeing that Rahm Emmanuel has stepped down from the White House staff, Israel is losing interest in what the United States thinks about its decisions.

I truly believe if the bill is fully passed and phased into the Israeli Constitution, all hell will break loose. According to Al Jazeera, Israel would be asking Palestinians to accept their own forfeiture of land rights.

The Middle East-based media outlet said, ‘If Palestinians recognized Israel as a Jewish state, they would be effectively legitimizing their own dispossession.’

Ahmad Tibi, a member of the Knesset (unicameral legislature of Israel), was quoted in Al Jazeera as stating, ‘Palestinians will have to say that this country (Israel) is for Jews, and Palestinians are only guests.’

I don’t know about anyone else, but to me, this entire issue sounds like Israel is not looking to settle any disputes with the Palestinians whatsoever. They are acting like three-year-olds who don’t want to share. I guess that’s what happens when you’re hated by many and liked by few in your own area.

I would normally have some common sense solution to a problem such as this because I have written about it on more than one occasion. I think the only thing that can be done at this point is Obama sending me to talk to Benjamin Netenyahu. I need to give him a stern look, like the one your parents give you if your miss curfew. Another solution is one I heard at a high school Model United Nations conference. The border lines of the entire region need to be wiped clear and redrawn like replicas of North and South Dakota, so everyone can get a fair share of something.

John Sumpter is a senior political science major. His column appears every Monday, and he can be reached at jfsumpte@syr.edu.

 

Published on October 10, 2010 at 12:00 pm