Arabs are quick to label anyone a “traitor” if this certain person associates his name with the state of Israel. In fact, an Arab Bedouin village in Gaza Strip was named the “Village of Traitors” just for that reason.
Few weeks ago, I read an article that discussed the possibility of “swapping” lands of Palestinian Majority that carry the Israeli passport (known as Arabs of the 1948 lands) in exchange of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The Palestinian Israelis quickly came out to reject such plan that would have granted them a Palestinian identity; much to the surprise of many Arabs.
I am not here to defend or oppose these Palestinian townsmen’s stance.
But why, or so would ask many supporters of the Palestinian cause, would a Palestinian refuse to be part of a potential country that would bear their national identity? Why would they be the fiercest opponents to carrying that country’s passport? And why would they insist on carrying the passport of the “oppressors”? Others, who clearly are uncomfortable with the mere existence of the Palestinians, would point fingers and laugh hard, then announce to the world: Here goes the Palestinian struggle to acknowledge their national identity and struggle, they cannot let go of the gentle hand of Israel.
Subsequently, let us examine what do these Palestinians have, what they would be giving up, and what the Palestinians of the 1948 lands would have gained from carrying their national identity, as Palestinian “Arabs”.
Currently, The Palestinian Israelis have some of the lowest standards of living in Israel, including the lowest state-sponsored services. In a country where the national anthem, flag and ideologies contradict with the native population’s fundamental identity; where Palestinian Israelis are socially excluded, the rights of the citizens of that nation are classified under the nationality of those citizens. It is apparent, regardless of the cries of denial of the Jewish state, that the Palestinians who carry an Israeli passport are told to recognize Israel as a democratic state, yet at the same time, must realize it is a country for the Jewish majority only.
Palestinians continue having high birth rate as their only means of growth in their population, yet they are not allowed to “import” new citizens, a right that is reserved to the Jewish state only.
Must one then suggest that the Palestinians in Israel start demanding importing more Palestinians, many of them exists indeed just minutes away, in the West Bank towns as well as Gaza; in order to Guarantee equal representation.
Israel has always feared the growth of the Palestinian population among them. Many Israeli politicians still use the term “threat” to describe the growth of the Palestinian population in Israel, a threat to the demographic build-up of Israel as a minor issue, and a threat to Democracy as the main concern!
But with all that and more, the Palestinians who carry an Israeli passport have access to three basic rights: First, the right to travel abroad, mainly without a visa, and with fewer headaches.
Few weeks ago, I read an article that discussed the possibility of “swapping” lands of Palestinian Majority that carry the Israeli passport (known as Arabs of the 1948 lands) in exchange of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The Palestinian Israelis quickly came out to reject such plan that would have granted them a Palestinian identity; much to the surprise of many Arabs.
I am not here to defend or oppose these Palestinian townsmen’s stance.
But why, or so would ask many supporters of the Palestinian cause, would a Palestinian refuse to be part of a potential country that would bear their national identity? Why would they be the fiercest opponents to carrying that country’s passport? And why would they insist on carrying the passport of the “oppressors”? Others, who clearly are uncomfortable with the mere existence of the Palestinians, would point fingers and laugh hard, then announce to the world: Here goes the Palestinian struggle to acknowledge their national identity and struggle, they cannot let go of the gentle hand of Israel.
Subsequently, let us examine what do these Palestinians have, what they would be giving up, and what the Palestinians of the 1948 lands would have gained from carrying their national identity, as Palestinian “Arabs”.
Currently, The Palestinian Israelis have some of the lowest standards of living in Israel, including the lowest state-sponsored services. In a country where the national anthem, flag and ideologies contradict with the native population’s fundamental identity; where Palestinian Israelis are socially excluded, the rights of the citizens of that nation are classified under the nationality of those citizens. It is apparent, regardless of the cries of denial of the Jewish state, that the Palestinians who carry an Israeli passport are told to recognize Israel as a democratic state, yet at the same time, must realize it is a country for the Jewish majority only.
Palestinians continue having high birth rate as their only means of growth in their population, yet they are not allowed to “import” new citizens, a right that is reserved to the Jewish state only.
Must one then suggest that the Palestinians in Israel start demanding importing more Palestinians, many of them exists indeed just minutes away, in the West Bank towns as well as Gaza; in order to Guarantee equal representation.
Israel has always feared the growth of the Palestinian population among them. Many Israeli politicians still use the term “threat” to describe the growth of the Palestinian population in Israel, a threat to the demographic build-up of Israel as a minor issue, and a threat to Democracy as the main concern!
But with all that and more, the Palestinians who carry an Israeli passport have access to three basic rights: First, the right to travel abroad, mainly without a visa, and with fewer headaches.
Secondly is the access to few state-sponsored services such as free medical insurance, needed for basic human well-being (And not issued in any Arab country for free).
Yet the most important right would be the right to live, travel and exist anywhere on the lands of Historic Palestine, and enjoy a day at the beach if one can afford the price of gas. To have these rights, Palestinian Israelis are refrained from being able to travel to most Arab countries, and will not have a true representative in the Arab League.
Palestinians in Israel who decide to serve the Jewish state are not traitors. The Bedouins who serve in the Army are not traitors. The Druze who covers his IDF sons’ coffins with Israeli flags is not the traitor. The Palestinians who fear being assimilated with the potential Palestinian territories are not traitors.
They simply know.
They know too well, that after 90 years of Arab struggle for recognition, every Arab state has failed, including [and most importantly] the wealthiest of them. Today an Arab is willing to sell his identity for a piece of paper and a ticket to get out of his/ her country on the wings of a savior, called Boeing. Palestinians in Israel simply want to choose where to live. If they chose to be part of a new Third World country they will be surrendering an easy and free access to the entire historic Palestine. To carry a Palestinian passport will mean they will be treated even more so as foreigners in Israel, while struggling under the rule of a new Arab Monarchy with all the oppression that comes along. So far, they could care less if they are called Arabs, Israelis, Palestinians, Druze, and Christians, Muslims, or even Zionists or traitors. They want to live partially free, than completely oppressed.
It hurts less to be oppressed by a stranger, than to be oppressed by your own brother.
It is not these poor souls who are the traitors, the real traitor is he whom an Arab citizen is ordered to bow down to his picture, hung on a billboard that is larger than the skies on every dirt road, shading his many palaces and the one asphalted street that guards his sleepy eyes.
Palestinians in Israel who decide to serve the Jewish state are not traitors. The Bedouins who serve in the Army are not traitors. The Druze who covers his IDF sons’ coffins with Israeli flags is not the traitor. The Palestinians who fear being assimilated with the potential Palestinian territories are not traitors.
They simply know.
They know too well, that after 90 years of Arab struggle for recognition, every Arab state has failed, including [and most importantly] the wealthiest of them. Today an Arab is willing to sell his identity for a piece of paper and a ticket to get out of his/ her country on the wings of a savior, called Boeing. Palestinians in Israel simply want to choose where to live. If they chose to be part of a new Third World country they will be surrendering an easy and free access to the entire historic Palestine. To carry a Palestinian passport will mean they will be treated even more so as foreigners in Israel, while struggling under the rule of a new Arab Monarchy with all the oppression that comes along. So far, they could care less if they are called Arabs, Israelis, Palestinians, Druze, and Christians, Muslims, or even Zionists or traitors. They want to live partially free, than completely oppressed.
It hurts less to be oppressed by a stranger, than to be oppressed by your own brother.
It is not these poor souls who are the traitors, the real traitor is he whom an Arab citizen is ordered to bow down to his picture, hung on a billboard that is larger than the skies on every dirt road, shading his many palaces and the one asphalted street that guards his sleepy eyes.
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