The Israeli leadership complains that the Palestinians refuse to recognize Israel as a "Jewish" state. The demographic threat, after all, is quite potent; the strategic environment threatening; and Israel's paranoia strong as ever. The Israelis want affirmations from the Palestinians that they recognize the Israeli state with that specific adjective, in order to take comfort from Palestinian acceptance of the nature of their country.
But the Ps refuse. In Foreign Affairs Dec 2011 issue, there are three reasons listed why the Ps will never offer such a recognition: (1) it effectively invalidates the right of return, (2) it adversely affects the status of Palestinian citizens of Israel, and that it panders to the Zionist ideology. Beyond those three reasons, the Palestinians also contend that people who follow Judaism are not a distinct nation or people. The P National Charter originally stated that " Judaism, being a religion, is not an independent nationality. Nor do Jews constitute a single nation with an identity of its own; they are citizens of the states to which they belong." This comes from the Palestinians.
Pretty strong, right? And part of it does make sense. The Israelis rebut that its not merely religion, but their cultural identity that they wish to protect. Thats understandable too.
But here's my question: what would Jinnah think about this Palestinian rejection of identity based on religion? Lets think back to somewhere around March 23, 1940, Lahore.
But the Ps refuse. In Foreign Affairs Dec 2011 issue, there are three reasons listed why the Ps will never offer such a recognition: (1) it effectively invalidates the right of return, (2) it adversely affects the status of Palestinian citizens of Israel, and that it panders to the Zionist ideology. Beyond those three reasons, the Palestinians also contend that people who follow Judaism are not a distinct nation or people. The P National Charter originally stated that " Judaism, being a religion, is not an independent nationality. Nor do Jews constitute a single nation with an identity of its own; they are citizens of the states to which they belong." This comes from the Palestinians.
Pretty strong, right? And part of it does make sense. The Israelis rebut that its not merely religion, but their cultural identity that they wish to protect. Thats understandable too.
But here's my question: what would Jinnah think about this Palestinian rejection of identity based on religion? Lets think back to somewhere around March 23, 1940, Lahore.
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