"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." --Bishop Desmond Tutu

Friday, October 10, 2008

Remind me again about why we support Israel? (redux)



Remember how Israel is a land of tolerance in a sea of Arab hate? Remember that bit? Well, I posted earlier on this issue and have reason to do so again. The BBC is reporting that an Arab Israeli (i.e. an Israeli citizen who is an Arab Muslim) started a riot by driving his car. Let me repeat that. He started a riot by driving his car. When did this happen, you ask? Why on Yom Kippur of course!

The Arab man was reportedly attacked by youths who said he was making noise intentionally, Haaretz said.

The Arab man is reported to have said he was simply driving to a property he owned in the eastern part of the city.

Most of Israel comes to a standstill on Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Streets are deserted except for a few pedestrians, cyclists and skateboarders, during the 25-hour fast which this year began on Wednesday at 1640 (1440 GMT).

So the pinnacle of Middle Eastern civilization, Israel, is a victim of it's own coddling of religious extremism.

Don't get me wrong, Iran, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, etc. have huge issues with religious extremism or oppressive government. I understand this. But let's not support Israel with blinders on, let's engage them to foster a more tolerant, secular society.

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