Zionism debate at heart of bitter Israeli vote

[webfact]

Zionism debate at heart of bitter Israeli vote
By DAN PERRY

JERUSALEM (AP) — What is Zionism? The ideological question, rooted in the 19th century, has gained surprising urgency in an Israeli election campaign that seems more open than had been expected.

Seeking to take votes from the nationalistic right of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the relatively liberal opposition has rebranded itself as the Zionist Union — sparking a debate about a concept that some considered resolved when the Jewish state was declared and widely recognized in 1948.

Since adopting the name in early December, Isaac Herzog's Labor Party — bolstered by a smaller grouping led by former opposition leader Tsipi Livni — has surged in the polls. They are now running neck-and-neck in the polls with Netanyahu's Likud.

The debate over who best reflects the ideals of Zionism — and who can most credibly lay claim to its successes — has lent an oddly philosophical hue to a campaign that had been dominated by more prosaic issues such as budget scandals in the management of the prime minister's residence. Along the way, the stage appears to have been set for a surprisingly climactic vote on March 17.

On the left, politicians speak of true Zionism as requiring the establishment of peace and equality in the land, including by making peace with the Palestinians and giving up land if needed.

Netanyahu has mocked his rivals as "the anti-Zionist Union." Backers of his Likud tend to equate the term with a strong Israel standing up to its enemies, and with the West Bank settler movement specifically. Ideological settlers view themselves as true Zionists, called upon to reclaim the Holy Land in its entirety almost regardless of the consequences.

Danny Danon, a senior Likud parliamentarian, argued that the opposition was weakening Israel with excessive sympathy for the Palestinians, alleging that some on the left have praised refusal to serve in the army or support the Arab view that the founding of the country was a catastrophe.

"Some in that camp are trying to change the nature of Israel and (use) the name Zionist Union to hide some of the comments made by their members," Danon said.

Hilik Bar, secretary-general of the Labor Party, counters that "we who are dealing with the most important things in society, aspire to reach peace and speak to our enemies — this is Zionism."

The modern idea of a return to "Zion" — Jerusalem or the Holy Land — has been around since the 19th century, when European Jews facing anti-Semitism began to contemplate a Jewish nation-state in the land of their biblical forefathers. Austrian journalist Theodor Herzl popularized the notion in an 1896 manifesto, "The Jewish State," and built what would become the international Zionist movement.

That dream culminated with Israeli independence in 1948, when the fledgling country emerged as a refuge for the world's Jews in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

"According to one theoretical concept, since the state of Israel was established, Zionism had achieved its goal and that was it. But that's not the way it was," said Tom Segev, an Israeli historian and author who has written books about early Israel.

Today, he said, "Zionism has become an equivalent to patriotism," he said, criticizing this approach for ignoring the key issue of resolving the conflict with the Palestinians.

The establishment of Israel turned out to be only the beginning. Early Israel was tested by wars and waves of immigration.

In 1967 came a game-changer: in a war that lasted six days Israel captured Arab territories including the West Bank and east Jerusalem — parts of the biblical Land of Israel but also home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Today the number of Palestinians in the territory is about 2.5 million, and most live in islands of autonomy administered by the Palestinian Authority. But Israel is the ultimate ruler, and the occupation, in the minds of most people, essentially grinds on. Many of Israel's neighbors reject its existence and its final borders are an open question. Gaza, ruled by Hamas militants and blockaded by Israel, has another 2 million Palestinians and is part of the equation.

Many Israelis feel the situation is unsustainable, both because of the hardships it imposes on the Palestinians and the demographic implications, with the population of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians in the territories on track to eventually outnumber Jews.

Therein lies the logic of the Zionist Union moniker: that the occupation, by saddling Israel with millions of Arabs, is endangering its status as a "Jewish state," leading toward a demographic composition that could more aptly be called a "binational state" where Jews no longer outnumber Arabs.

Bar said this would either mean the end of Israel as a Jewish state or result in "a kind of apartheid state" where Arabs will not be allowed to vote. "They (the right) will lead us to a very horrible situation. This is the end of Zionism," Bar said.

But with party support having remained stagnant in the polls since the initial surge, and with three weeks before the election, the definition has been broadened out.

Omer Bar-Lev, a former top military commando, tells voters he "led fighters in the rescue at Entebbe" — Israel's dramatic 1976 rescue of hostages in Uganda. "That is Zionism."

A recent campaign video made no mention of the Palestinian issue. Instead, a slew of politicians equated Zionism with social justice, economic opportunity, better schools and a nod to mandatory military service. Of late, this is the direction the campaign is taking.

A young Labor lawmaker, Stav Shaffir, recently became a viral sensation when she lectured her right-wing opponents on the true meaning of Zionism in a parliamentary speech.

"Real Zionism is solidarity — not only in battle, but also in the day-to-day. Looking after each other," she said. "That's what Zionism is: to take care of the future of Israel's citizens — in the hospitals, in the schools, on the roads, and in social welfare. That's Zionism, and you're destroying it," she said of her colleagues on the right.

Former Education Minister Shai Piron of the centrist Yesh Atid Party bristles at the use of Zionism by left and right alike. "Zionism is far more than what they say. They are using this for political reasons," he said.

"Zionism is our story, the Jewish story," he adds.

Such a view could pose a problem for Herzog. Arab citizens make up about a fifth of the population of 8 million in Israel proper, with the West Bank and Gaza removed from the picture. Their once-divided politicians are running on a joint slate that some polls show as possibly emerging as the third-largest in parliament. Like the Palestinians, many Israeli Arabs equate Zionism with land grabs, discrimination and military occupation.

As much as they detest the Israeli right and want a peace deal, they will struggle to ally with something called the Zionist Union, uncomfortable with an argument for withdrawing from the West Bank that is motivated so clearly by the desire to unload fellow Arabs.
___

Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-02-23

[siampolee]

Interesting to note the situation in Israel and then when one reads''The tablet'' compare the situation and rhetoric concerning the situation in other parts of the world.

Two very different messages are being sent

The proposed call to arms by a self professed persecuted frightened minorities groups in other countries indeed flies in the face of the message being sent by other factions domestically in Israel.

it would seem in many respects that in truth that the minority of irresponsible rabid members of the Jewish community wish to create a widespread scene of violence and thus encourage further the growth of international terrorism in all its guises.

Sadly the proponents of this ''gun law'' ideal are doing no favours to the Israeli people around the world.

http://tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/189100/arming-europ

On the left, politicians speak of true Zionism as requiring the establishment of peace and equality in the land, including by making peace with the Palestinians and giving up land if needed.

Netanyahu has mocked his rivals as "the anti-Zionist Union." Backers of his Likud tend to equate the term with a strong Israel standing up to its enemies, and with the West Bank settler movement specifically. Ideological settlers view themselves as true Zionists, called upon to reclaim the Holy Land in its entirety almost regardless of the consequences.

[dexterm]

from the OP..

Many Israelis feel the situation is unsustainable, both because of the hardships it imposes on the Palestinians and the demographic implications, with the population of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians in the territories on track to eventually outnumber Jews.

Therein lies the logic of the Zionist Union moniker: that the occupation, by saddling Israel with millions of Arabs, is endangering its status as a "Jewish state," leading toward a demographic composition that could more aptly be called a "binational state" where Jews no longer outnumber Arabs.

Bar said this would either mean the end of Israel as a Jewish state or result in "a kind of apartheid state" where Arabs will not be allowed to vote. "They (the right) will lead us to a very horrible situation. This is the end of Zionism," Bar said.

This is exactly what I have been saying for years. It is a pity that the unfortunate choice of party name may make the new Israeli Arab list voters uncomfortable aligning themselves with them, knowing the connotations of the other sort of land grabbing repressive Zionism. But hey what's in a name?

There may even come a time when Israeli Jewish parties may be begging the Palestinians to establish a 2 state solution. It may be the only way Israel can maintain a majority Jewish character state.

The alternative is for the Palestinians to practice passive resistance for several more years, while the brutal occupation army creates a bad press for Israel via the social media.

Ironically, the cause of the entire conflict was Zionists swamping Palestinians over the last 100 years through mass migration creating the inevitable friction. Now the Palestinians may have a final win by swamping the Jewish population.

One way or another when peace finally emerges, through natural transmigration Jews, Christians and Muslims will one day live together in peace in Palestine.

I hope a new Zionist Union/Israeli Arab bloc will be a stepping stone to that in the forthcoming elections.

Edited February 23, 2015 by dexterm

[ggold]

When Israel Left the Gaza strip and gave it to the palestinians, They withdrew their citizens form Gaza, they did not turn around to the palestinians and say, you have to absorb the jews in Gaza into your society.

Likewise when/if the palestinians get land in the west bank to call their homeland, The jews will have to leave those areas and the palestinians will have to leave the areas they did not get as a homeland.

Israel will not put itself in the position of becoming an arab state due to demographics of the future. This might be the wish of the those that do not want to see Israel as an independent Jewish state, even the Arabs don't want that, they want their own land with out Jews.

The palestinians don't want peace.

[ggold]

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/191699#.VOrNIC7QrfU

'Wretched Politicians Hide What the Palestinians Really Think'

Speaking to Arutz Sheva, Bukay explains that the research which investigates figures from Palestinian Arab media and textbooks shows that "people think they know what the Palestinians think, but they don't know."

The doctor reveals that the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership, media and educational system are engaged in "a process of demonization and dehumanization towards Israel at levels higher than (the Nazi) Der Sturmer. This they pass to their children in a deep process of hatred and incitement with no equal in history."

Edited February 23, 2015 by ggold

[Choctastic]

'Ideological settlers view themselves as true Zionists, called upon to reclaim the Holy Land in its entirety almost regardless of the consequences.'

Sounds very much like they are not going to stop. How many more decades of land theft and ethnic-cleansing can be expected?

[dexterm]

When Israel Left the Gaza strip and gave it to the palestinians, They withdrew their citizens form Gaza, they did not turn around to the palestinians and say, you have to absorb the jews in Gaza into your society.

Likewise when/if the palestinians get land in the west bank to call their homeland, The jews will have to leave those areas and the palestinians will have to leave the areas they did not get as a homeland.

Israel will not put itself in the position of becoming an arab state due to demographics of the future. This might be the wish of the those that do not want to see Israel as an independent Jewish state, even the Arabs don't want that, they want their own land with out Jews.

The palestinians don't want peace.

The only homeland Zionists have ever been given is from the UK and the UN Partition Plan of 1947, both of which authorities had no moral right to give away land to a Jewish minority where other people were already living.

Zionists, being better organized and armed than the Palestinians, have taken much more than the area allotted in the Partition Plan. Might is not right. It is time this injustice was addressed.

"True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice." http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.

Hamas has offered an indefinite truce if Israel recognizes Palestine within roughly the 1967 borders.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/haniyeh-hamas-willing-to-accept-palestinian-state-with-1967-borders-1.256915

Every single Arab state and the PA has offered to recognize Israel at the Arab Peace Summit in 2002 and re-endorsed in 2007. Permanent peace, permanent secure internationally recognized borders, exchange of ambassadors, trade agreements, tourism ..the works. The offer is still on the table..all Israel has to do is pick it up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Peace_Initiative

If a center left government is formed by the new Zionist Union and Israeli Arab list perhaps we will see real progress towards peace and a two party state.

The alternative is a nasty apartheid, or an even nastier 3rd wave of ethnic cleansing. The world will not tolerate either scenario.

Edited February 23, 2015 by dexterm

[jdinasia]

Nice to see a group that appears rational having a chance against Likud

[Steely Dan]

Oh dear, the 'Z' word should have some of our esteemed members frothing at the mouth. Indeed if their take on what Zionism means we're true the election would be in the bag for Netanyahu already.

[fvw53]

On this topic I have mentioned before that one MUST see on Youtube the opinion of Prof Dr Shlomo Sand, professor of history at the University of Tel Aviv

A short version can be found at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq6EPYLfcM0

[Ulysses G.]

Zionists, being better organized and armed than the Palestinians, have taken much more than the area allotted in the Partition Plan.

Might that have something to do with the Palestinians refusing the Partition Plan and attacking Israel with 5 Arab armies, getting their butts kicked and trying it again a number of times? The Palestinians are largely responsible for their own misery and they refuse to sign a permanent peace treaty to this day.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Ulysses G.

[NativeSon360]

Zionists, being better organized and armed than the Palestinians, have taken much more than the area allotted in the Partition Plan.

Might that have something to do with the Palestinians refusing the Partition Plan and attacking Israel with 5 Arab armies, getting their butts kicked and trying it again a number of times? The Palestinians are largely responsible for their own misery and they refuse to sign a permanent peace treaty to this day.

Personally, I don't particularly like the majority Palestinians, that I've had the displeasure to interact with. However, any human being, who knows the hidden truth behind the original 1947 Partition Plan (contrived by the British, of course) , will readily understand, and empathize with the plight of the Palestinian people. On the flip-side, I totally disagree with most of the PLO (Hezbollah) tactics, employed over the past 50 years.

[Jingthing]

Interesting to note the situation in Israel and then when one reads''The tablet'' compare the situation and rhetoric concerning the situation in other parts of the world.

Two very different messages are being sent

The proposed call to arms by a self professed persecuted frightened minorities groups in other countries indeed flies in the face of the message being sent by other factions domestically in Israel.

it would seem in many respects that in truth that the minority of irresponsible rabid members of the Jewish community wish to create a widespread scene of violence and thus encourage further the growth of international terrorism in all its guises.

Sadly the proponents of this ''gun law'' ideal are doing no favours to the Israeli people around the world.

http://tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/189100/arming-europ

On the left, politicians speak of true Zionism as requiring the establishment of peace and equality in the land, including by making peace with the Palestinians and giving up land if needed.

Netanyahu has mocked his rivals as "the anti-Zionist Union." Backers of his Likud tend to equate the term with a strong Israel standing up to its enemies, and with the West Bank settler movement specifically. Ideological settlers view themselves as true Zionists, called upon to reclaim the Holy Land in its entirety almost regardless of the consequences.

When you say Israeli people around the world do you mean expat Israelis living outside of Israel?

Perhaps you are implying that all Jews in the world are Israelis?

I hope not because only persons with Israeli passports are Israelis. (Including of course Arabs, Muslims, and Christians who are Israeli citizens.)

Also why are you trying to hijack this thread to be about Jews (or did you mean Israeli expats? ) having the right to carry guns in Europe? As you did, most sensible people would say the governments there need to step it up and protect their Jewish populations from Jihadists.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Regarding the upcoming Israeli election, I am no expert on the history of Israeli elections, but it seems to me this one is of more than usual importance. Israel is really in a fix with so many issues now, foreign and domestic, and I hope their democratic methods can help them find a path towards something better.

Not expecting any miracles or quick fixes because that's impossible.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Jingthing

[Thorgal]

Regarding the upcoming Israeli election, I am no expert on the history of Israeli elections, but it seems to me this one is of more than usual importance. Israel is really in a fix with so many issues now, foreign and domestic, and I hope their democratic methods can help them find a path towards something better.

Not expecting any miracles or quick fixes because that's impossible.

OP refers to ongoing Zionist political programme, and it's not really a democratic method...

Israeli elections were always linked to the settlers programme in occupied territories. The more settlers, the more votes.

[Scott]

Numerous off-topic, troll and inflammatory posts along with replies have been removed.

Please keep it on topic and civil.

Please don't feed the troll. Some worthwhile responses were removed because they had a troll post in the nested quotes.

[Choctastic]

Oh dear, the 'Z' word should have some of our esteemed members frothing at the mouth. Indeed if their take on what Zionism means we're true the election would be in the bag for Netanyahu already.

I would be more concerned about those who aren't 'frothing at the mouth'. It shows they have neither conscience nor humanity. The 'Z' word, according to the settlers, means concentration camps, collective punishment, more land theft and ethnic-cleansing.

Who are you voting for?

[Thorgal]

Zionist ideology can be compared with the 'Lebensraum' ideology.

Strange that nowadays it's still a political tool in Israeli parliament.

[pkspeaker]

The Palestinians refuse to sign a 'permanent peace treaty' based on aphartheid, that is being confined to disconnected bantustans which together comprise less than 10% of the overall israel/palestine (former British Palestine). Both Hamas and PA will agree to total cessation of violence in return for the 1967 borders, especially if israel sweetens the deal with freedom of movement between the 2 territories thru a bypass road in the negev-israel refuses this and instead insists on debating 'zionism' They don't like the palestinian view of zionism so they use that as an excuse to continue the worst aphartheid scheme in history. Also at this moment both hamas and the pa are keeping violence against jews to an absolute minimum and VERY few Israelis have been killed by palestinians in the last few years, even in the last decade. so they will control the violence despite very oppressive conditions.

The 1947 partition with it's hour-glass cantons was a sham, the israeli's only 'accepted' it because they knew the arabs would reject it, the 'jewish' cantons would have been more than 40% arab and the British peel commision had already recomended ethnic cleansing to 'solve' the Palestinian problem when creating a Jewish state.

It was ziionist terrorists that 'forced' the British peacekeepers out of Palestine in the first place. In reality they were never forced out, they armed Jewish militia's, disarmed palestinians(who were the weaker party in the first place; Once the British had abruptly left, 200,000 Palestinians had already been forced out of the country BEFORE the first arab army attempted to intervene. It's conceivable that the arabs would have never invaded had the Jews simply took the power vacuum they had been left and NOT did the ethnic cleansing. After All, The British and French had left minorities in charge in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. (Christians, Shiites(allowhites), and Sunni's respectivly. In those other countries the minorities had taken power but DID NOT feel the need to erase the majoity from the country. The whites in South Africa took power and never felt that it was necessary to push the Africans out of south africa-a minority can hold power easily as long as it keeps the human-rights abuse under control, we are living in such a situation right now.

Zionists, being better organized and armed than the Palestinians, have taken much more than the area allotted in the Partition Plan.

Might that have something to do with the Palestinians refusing the Partition Plan and attacking Israel with 5 Arab armies, getting their butts kicked and trying it again a number of times? The Palestinians are largely responsible for their own misery and they refuse to sign a permanent peace treaty to this day.

Personally, I don't particularly like the majority Palestinians, that I've had the displeasure to interact with. However, any human being, who knows the hidden truth behind the original 1947 Partition Plan (contrived by the British, of course) , will readily understand, and empathize with the plight of the Palestinian people. On the flip-side, I totally disagree with most of the PLO (Hezbollah) tactics, employed over the past 50 years.

Edited February 24, 2015 by pkspeaker

[dexterm]

Tzipi Livni, joint leader of the new Zionist Union, has impeccable credentials for both interpretations of the word Zionist. Her parents were members of the Jewish extremist Irgun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irgun

..and she herself, an ardent nationalist, is a leading voice for the two state solution.

I suppose she can see that her parents brand of Zionism helped establish Israel, but now she foresees that continued occupation and domination of 4 million Palestinians offers no future for Israeli Jews... just more isolationism, and a perpetual state of war.

She can now see that to save the Jewish State there will have to be a surrendering of land taken in 1967 and a separation of the two peoples. The alternative ,a one state solution, will inevitably involve the absorption of 4 million Palestinians as equal citizens.

I don’t like the name Zionist Union because of all its connotations, but I can see her logic. Her brand of Zionism will be the only one that can save Israel and retain a predominantly Jewish character.

Her background and life story are epitomized in Winston Churchill’s advice

In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Good Will.

Her parents’ generation won the wars with the old style Zionism, now it’s time for the new generation to spread some magnanimity and goodwill.

The fact that her party is running neck and neck with Likud proves there are many Israelis who want a peaceful resolution of the 100 year old conflict too.

As the OP says the occupation is unsustainable.

[Seastallion]

Tzipi Livni, joint leader of the new Zionist Union, has impeccable credentials for both interpretations of the word Zionist. Her parents were members of the Jewish extremist Irgun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irgun

..and she herself, an ardent nationalist, is a leading voice for the two state solution.

I suppose she can see that her parents brand of Zionism helped establish Israel, but now she foresees that continued occupation and domination of 4 million Palestinians offers no future for Israeli Jews... just more isolationism, and a perpetual state of war.

She can now see that to save the Jewish State there will have to be a surrendering of land taken in 1967 and a separation of the two peoples. The alternative ,a one state solution, will inevitably involve the absorption of 4 million Palestinians as equal citizens.

I don’t like the name Zionist Union because of all its connotations, but I can see her logic. Her brand of Zionism will be the only one that can save Israel and retain a predominantly Jewish character.

Her background and life story are epitomized in Winston Churchill’s advice

In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Good Will.

Her parents’ generation won the wars with the old style Zionism, now it’s time for the new generation to spread some magnanimity and goodwill.

The fact that her party is running neck and neck with Likud proves there are many Israelis who want a peaceful resolution of the 100 year old conflict too.

As the OP says the occupation is unsustainable.

Hear hear.

The only thing a bit sad (but nonetheless true) about what you posted is the need for magnanimity.....it implies that Israel is indeed a conqueror, as indeed it unjustly, immorally, and illegally is.

[Choctastic]

That foolish, over the top rhetoric is ridiculous. Gaza has luxury hotels and restaurants and one of the biggest obesity problems in the world - some "concentration camp."

'Gaza is a concentration camp, and it’s an American delusion not to recognize that'

http://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/concentration-delusion-recognize

A luxury hotel, with brunch, to watch industry, agriculture, infrastructure, hospitals and schools being demolished. No thanks.

Obesity is no longer an indicator of proper nutrition or affluence. Too much sugar and trans-fats are a global problem. How many Gazans are below the poverty line? Last time I looked it was around 70%. How many are dependent on Food Aid? A million?

[Jingthing]

That foolish, over the top rhetoric is ridiculous. Gaza has luxury hotels and restaurants and one of the biggest obesity problems in the world - some "concentration camp."

'Gaza is a concentration camp, and it’s an American delusion not to recognize that'

http://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/concentration-delusion-recognize

A luxury hotel, with brunch, to watch industry, agriculture, infrastructure, hospitals and schools being demolished. No thanks.

Obesity is no longer an indicator of proper nutrition or affluence. Too much sugar and trans-fats are a global problem. How many Gazans are below the poverty line? Last time I looked it was around 70%. How many are dependent on Food Aid? A million?

Kind of sounds like Alabama.

[Choctastic]

Kind of sounds like Alabama.

Kinda. Without the war crimes.

[Morch]

The appropriation of Zionism by Israel's right wing parties in general and the West Bank illegal settlers in particular is nothing new, nor is it unique to the upcoming Israeli general elections. Harping on this note was ever one of the main tools in Netanyahu's toolkit ever since he took up politics, and usually gets more noticeable when elections time is near. Generally speaking, Netanyahu's ongoing crusade succeeded in delegitimizing the left wing, to the extent that anyone not firmly belonging to the right wing is considered by many ardent followers a leftist (and hence, a delusional traitor...and that's putting it mildly). This was partially achieved by "taking over" the Zionist ethos of country-building, settlement movement and defying the odds, through association of these earlier notions with the illegal settlers on the West Bank.

So nothing particularly dramatic with regard to current public debate in Israel, just that the rhetoric employed (from all sides) gets harsher with each passing year. The Labor Party's re-branding following the electoral deal with Livni's non-party, was just an obvious play to mitigate the relative success of left wing leaning party members at the primaries, in an attempt to check the right wing's expected campaign. Anything that would dissociate them from being tagged as left works, and Zionist Camp (that's a more accurate translation, they ain't highlighting the union much anymore) was counted upon to do the trick. Not being tagged as left wing may also score some votes previously going for centrist parties, but getting right wing voters' support? Probably not in this lifetime, at least not on a grand scale.

The author's assertion that the re-branding sparked a debate regarding Zionism, or that it plays a major role in the election campaign seems a bit far fetched. It did made some headlines at the beginning of the campaign, but mostly due to Netanyahu's dubbing them the anti-Zionist Camp, and the following back and forth (which relates to most of the quotes in the OP). Overall, the main topics remain the economy, regional security threats, the diplomatic relationship with the USA, and petty bickering (some relevant, some not). A debate over definitions of Zionism is not really a major issue, and even those politicians that do comment on the issue usually do so in a very shallow manner. In much the same way, Israel's conflict with the Palestinians is not taking the front seat - other than slogans. Right wing got nothing much to offer (except those to the right of Netanyahu and their half cooked notions), the centrist and centrist-left parties (which would include the Labor Party, aka the Zionist Camp) avoid making big statements on this as it might scare potential voters.

The "surging in the polls" bit is not much of a surge, and to date, not really enough to secure notions of an electoral victory. A few paragraphs later this is acknowledged ("But with party support having remained stagnant in the polls since the initial surge, and with three weeks before the election..."). Having the most votes in parliament is meaningless if one cannot team with allies to form a coalition. Netanyahu, despite everything, is still better poised on this front.

A "philosophical hue"? - many of the comments on the upcoming elections, respective campaigns and involved politicians, lament the low level of debate, language and manners displayed by candidates. The same goes for shallow arguments, creative statistics and claims of past achievements. Above all, the verbal violence and disrespect shown by all sides make this "philosophical hue" description seem to be tongue in cheek. As the author immediately corrects - "a campaign that had been dominated by more prosaic issues such as budget scandals in the management of the prime minister's residence".

All of the relevant parties (as in those that get into parliament) define themselves as Zionist, one way or the other (excluded from this are the Israeli Arab parties, now united, and the religious orthodox Jewish parties). There are different interpretations, different formulations, but bottom line - equating Zionism with the illegal settlement movement in the West Bank, or with right wing parties, is a misguided notion.

With regards to the Palestinians, indeed "Many Israelis feel the situation is unsustainable", but are they the majority? Elections results and current polls seem to indicate this is not quite the case. Making it a more complex issue is a prevalent feeling among Israelis that the Palestinians cannot be trusted, and that signing an agreement with them would not improve things (or even make them worse). I'm not getting into the merit of these notions, just stating that they are a reality. My impression is that even with many Israelis feeling the situation unsustainable, that does not quite make them believe in the prospects of peace.

Then comes the most confused bit, regarding the Arab parties (or rather, party, this time). There was never a coalition government in Israel's history which officially incorporated Arab parties. There were individual Arab politicians belonging to other parties (both Labor and Likud), of course, but Arab parties or far left Arab/Jewish parties (this mostly refers to the Communist Party) were not invited. To begin with, this attitude was formulated by the Labor Party, and was continued by the Likud Party when it took the reins. It would be nothing short of earth-shaking move (as far as Israeli politics go) if the current Zionist Camp (Labor party) will deviate from this tradition. Considering the long-standing delegitimization crusade of the left by Netanyahu, teaming up with the Arab Party could scare off a lot of voters, and will surely result in more political incitement from the right wing. Many Israelis would probably reject the notion of the Arab Party being objective when things come to the Palestinians (and with good cause), thus making concessions passed in parliament solely on the merit of Arab Party votes controversial. Putting up a coalition while forgoing the Arab Parties is one of the major obstacles Netanyahu's rivals are facing.

One thing to bear in mind regarding the Arab Party is that they are in a constant opposition state-of-mind, meaning that their politicians are can be counted upon to make strong statements. It's easy enough saying they won't seat in a coalition with the Zionist Camp, but then they were not even approached yet. They may currently claim that there's no difference between Labor and Likud, but then again, it's elections time and when push comes to shove they always vote as expected. I seriously doubt that the mere re-branding would bear much weight if an invitation is extended, but as noted, not a very likely proposition anyway.

The OP reads more like a confused "filler" rather than a coherent article.

[Morch]

from the OP..

Many Israelis feel the situation is unsustainable, both because of the hardships it imposes on the Palestinians and the demographic implications, with the population of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians in the territories on track to eventually outnumber Jews.

Therein lies the logic of the Zionist Union moniker: that the occupation, by saddling Israel with millions of Arabs, is endangering its status as a "Jewish state," leading toward a demographic composition that could more aptly be called a "binational state" where Jews no longer outnumber Arabs.

Bar said this would either mean the end of Israel as a Jewish state or result in "a kind of apartheid state" where Arabs will not be allowed to vote. "They (the right) will lead us to a very horrible situation. This is the end of Zionism," Bar said.

This is exactly what I have been saying for years. It is a pity that the unfortunate choice of party name may make the new Israeli Arab list voters uncomfortable aligning themselves with them, knowing the connotations of the other sort of land grabbing repressive Zionism. But hey what's in a name?

There may even come a time when Israeli Jewish parties may be begging the Palestinians to establish a 2 state solution. It may be the only way Israel can maintain a majority Jewish character state.

The alternative is for the Palestinians to practice passive resistance for several more years, while the brutal occupation army creates a bad press for Israel via the social media.

Ironically, the cause of the entire conflict was Zionists swamping Palestinians over the last 100 years through mass migration creating the inevitable friction. Now the Palestinians may have a final win by swamping the Jewish population.

One way or another when peace finally emerges, through natural transmigration Jews, Christians and Muslims will one day live together in peace in Palestine.

I hope a new Zionist Union/Israeli Arab bloc will be a stepping stone to that in the forthcoming elections.

The OP is not all that clear on what is considered "many", or how this translates into votes. That many people in Israel do feel that the situation is unattainable, does not mean that they are all pro-peace, that they trust the Palestinians or that they think pulling out of the West Bank and lifting the blockade on Gaza will resolve the conflict. To a certain extent, their take is based on realism. Feeling that something doesn't work anymore, does not always mean that there are simple solutions or that hard choices are readily embraced, This is further compounded by most decisions taken by politicians, and not directly by Israel's citizens.

Overall, the Palestinians are not practicing "passive resistance" (except for a few spots, and even then, the passive bit is still a learning process), so the assertion of them continuing to do so (as if this was a general trend) is not supported by reality.

What "Zionist Union/Israeli Arab bloc" would that be? Even if there was such a bloc, it would be denied by both parties, and to date there was no invitation or statement proclaiming otherwise. Not the best of moves if one needs to form a coalition including other parties, which might object. A bear hug from the Arab Party would secure Herzog the head of opposition office. To keep things in perspective, latest polls give the Zionist Camp 24 seats, and the Arab Party gets 12 - nothing approaching an effective bloc.

[Morch]

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/191699#.VOrNIC7QrfU

'Wretched Politicians Hide What the Palestinians Really Think'

Speaking to Arutz Sheva, Bukay explains that the research which investigates figures from Palestinian Arab media and textbooks shows that "people think they know what the Palestinians think, but they don't know."

The doctor reveals that the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership, media and educational system are engaged in "a process of demonization and dehumanization towards Israel at levels higher than (the Nazi) Der Sturmer. This they pass to their children in a deep process of hatred and incitement with no equal in history."

When reading this article, it pays to bear in mind that both Arutz Sheva and David Bukay, do, in fact, represent right wing views.

Doesn't mean Bukay's research is off, but his commentary and interpretation do tend to take on extreme tones (more so when he lectures or being interviewed) - sometimes shadowing the essence of the facts he presents.

[Morch]

'Ideological settlers view themselves as true Zionists, called upon to reclaim the Holy Land in its entirety almost regardless of the consequences.'

Sounds very much like they are not going to stop. How many more decades of land theft and ethnic-cleansing can be expected?

There were settlements pulled down when Israel handed back the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.

There were settlements pulled down when Israel unilaterally pulled back from the Gaza Strip.

There were (not many to date) settlements pulled down in the West Bank following supreme court rulings.

The notion of ethnic cleansing does not seem in tune with the OP's assertions regarding the possibility of the Palestinians eventually achieving a demographic majority.

[redandyellow]

a debate on Zionism is necessary, but what does it mean?

[Morch]

When Israel Left the Gaza strip and gave it to the palestinians, They withdrew their citizens form Gaza, they did not turn around to the palestinians and say, you have to absorb the jews in Gaza into your society.

Likewise when/if the palestinians get land in the west bank to call their homeland, The jews will have to leave those areas and the palestinians will have to leave the areas they did not get as a homeland.

Israel will not put itself in the position of becoming an arab state due to demographics of the future. This might be the wish of the those that do not want to see Israel as an independent Jewish state, even the Arabs don't want that, they want their own land with out Jews.

The palestinians don't want peace.

The only homeland Zionists have ever been given is from the UK and the UN Partition Plan of 1947, both of which authorities had no moral right to give away land to a Jewish minority where other people were already living.

Zionists, being better organized and armed than the Palestinians, have taken much more than the area allotted in the Partition Plan. Might is not right. It is time this injustice was addressed.

"True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice." http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.

Hamas has offered an indefinite truce if Israel recognizes Palestine within roughly the 1967 borders.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/haniyeh-hamas-willing-to-accept-palestinian-state-with-1967-borders-1.256915

Every single Arab state and the PA has offered to recognize Israel at the Arab Peace Summit in 2002 and re-endorsed in 2007. Permanent peace, permanent secure internationally recognized borders, exchange of ambassadors, trade agreements, tourism ..the works. The offer is still on the table..all Israel has to do is pick it up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Peace_Initiative

If a center left government is formed by the new Zionist Union and Israeli Arab list perhaps we will see real progress towards peace and a two party state.

The alternative is a nasty apartheid, or an even nastier 3rd wave of ethnic cleansing. The world will not tolerate either scenario.

Still trying to market the Hamas as a peace-seeking organization? Any chance of providing another link, other than that worn old one? Something recent, perhaps? Maybe add some commentary on why this statement was made and under what conditions?

Acknowledge that the truce offered was ambiguous at best? That there is nothing regarding recognition of Israel? Or that the actual wording of the condition appearing in the link you provided talks about "Palestinian's national rights" ? (rather than simply the 1967 lines).

The Arab Peace initiative was not accepted by Hamas nor Hezbollah. Currently, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Libya (to name some), are not in any position to sign and uphold agreements. Under these conditions, to claim that the offer is still on the table is meaningless.

And again with the illusion of a Zionist Union and Israeli Arab party forming a government. Same as above, not a real proposition under current terms. In general, easier for right wing led coalitions to pass votes concerning territorial concessions etc. as they can rely on the assured support of the opposition. Doesn't work quite the same for centrist/left coalitions.