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Israel Is the "Jewish State": Why It Matters

(New York Jewish Week) Kenneth J. Bialkin - The importance of the issue of recognition of Israel as a Jewish state by the PLO lies primarily in the refusal of the Palestinian leadership to agree to that recognition. The Jewish identity of Israel lies in the DNA of the Jewish People, driven by the dreams and tears of thousands of years of longing of the patriarchs, prophets, dreamers and fighters for a return to Zion. So if Jewishness is so firmly instilled in Israel, why must it demand such recognition from the Palestinians? The answer lies in the outspoken refusal of the Palestinians to recognize and accept the obvious truth. It reflects a failure of sincerity to fulfill a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israel conflict, a stubborn refusal that betrays a hatred that may never disappear and contains the seeds of future wars. In short, without that recognition, Israel cannot believe in the sincerity of an Arab world that continues to practice the incitement of hatred of Israel and of Jews. Making peace is not like a business deal, like buying a car or a house. There must be trust that you can live together. Without that trust, there should be no deal.
2014-03-28 00:00:00
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