The first two articles in the Nov/Dec Foreign Affairs focus on Israel. The second, by Ronald Krebs, make an astute observation on p. 11 that Israel cannot rule over a large non-Jewish population “without undermining either its Jewish character or its democratic principles.”
Ethnic character vs democratic principles is not conflict. Germany faces it with the large influx of Turkish “gastarbeiters” – guest workers – that make Germans fear they are overwhelming the native culture. The French face it with the large North African population throughout the country, where “being French” is something you have to be born with.
The United States has faced this same question over and over. Though you do not have to be born in the United States to “be American,” that was not always the case. The “Know Nothing Party” of the mid-1800s was vehemently against immigrants, which at that time was the Irish. Late 19th century laws restricted the rights of Chinese and Asians – even native-born citizens. Native born black Americans did not have full rights in practice until the the 1970′s.
In all cases over time, the Ethnic White Majority gave way to rule by Democratic Principles, and that is what made the difference.
How will things turn out in Germany and France? No doubt over time, there will be an assimilation, though it may take another generation or two. But Israel does not have a generation to wait.
The world can only hope that Israeli politicians and citizens will recognize the dangers in continuing support for ethnic characteristics, and come down on the side of democratic principles. Only then can a long-lasting peace take hold in the Middle-East.
**NB: If you want some quick insight into the situation, pick up the Nov/Dec Foreign Affairs.
