Page 20 - Jewish News_January-2021
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20A January 2021 FEDERATION NEWS
CRConnect: Question of the month
By David Millstone
ach month, CRConnect brings population enforced its domination No such laws exist in Israel. Isra- lims and Christians have all served
you a question you may have, over the black and other non-white el’s Declaration of Independence as Cabinet Ministers and in other
Eor one you may get, about Israel minorities. It was put in place guarantees equal rights to all citi- governmental positions.
or antisemitism. Our goal is to provide through a series of laws which zens, irrespective of religion, race • Arabs have served in the Israeli
you with material to help you answer or sex. Arab citi- army since the War for Indepen-
them. This month’s question is: Robert and Esther Heller zens of Israel en- dence in 1947-1949. They serve as
Isn’t it true that Israel is an apart- joy the full range both volunteers and through man-
onnect
onnect
heid state, just like South Africa was? CRC of civil and po- datory service.
Doesn’t that justify boycotts, sanc- litical rights, in- • Israeli Arabs serve in the Foreign
tions, divestment and isolation from cluding the right Service, including as Ambassa-
the civilized world? to organize po- dors to other countries, including a
Simply stated, NO. litically, the right Christian Arab serving as Ambas-
Apartheid is “a system of institu- banned blacks from certain “white to vote and the right to speak and sador to Muslim Azerbaijan.
tionalized racial segregation and areas” and established prohibitions publish freely. Israeli Arabs and • Israeli Arabs serve in the Israeli
discrimination.” In South Africa, to prevent the black population other non-Jewish Israelis serve as Police Force.
it was a unique, repressive system from participating in any public members of Israel’s security forces, • Israeli Arabs serve throughout gov-
through which the minority white life. are elected to parliament and ap- ernment-operated hospitals. The
pointed to the country’s highest Galilee Medical Center is headed
courts. They are afforded equal ed- by an Arab Israeli and has a staff of
ucational opportunities, and there Jews, Muslims and Christians.
are ongoing initiatives to further • As of 2018, Arab students ac-
improve the economic standing of counted for over 16% of Israel’s
all of Israel’s minorities. undergraduate student population.
Some examples: Israeli Arabs account for approxi-
• There have been Israeli Arab mem- mately 20% of the population.
bers of the Israeli Knesset (Parlia- In an apartheid state, there is no
ment) since the first election in integration of the minority population
1949. Currently 17 Arabs serve in in public life, in the legislature, in the
the 120-member Knesset. court system, in government, in the
• Israeli Arabs have served on Isra- military, nor in state-run medical cen-
el’s seven-member Supreme Court ters. It is clearly false that Israel is an
since 1999 and have had three dif- apartheid state. No place for hate
ferent Justices serve on the Court, For more detailed information and
including two at the same time. Is- original source material, visit jfedsrq. By Abe Pintchuck, sophomore at Florida Gulf Coast University,
raeli Arabs also serve as judges on org/crconnect. member of AEPi Fraternity and Florida Gulf Coast Hillel
lower courts throughout Israel. Next month’s question:
• Israeli Arabs have served in the Why does Israel oppose the U.S.
Israeli government including as reentering the nuclear agreement
Cabinet Ministers. Druze, Mus- with Iran?
JFSM ir t ual
JFSM
Virtual
V
FEDERATION MAJOR EVENTS
2020–2021
FEDERATION MAJOR EVENTS 2021
JANUARY 5-7 FEBRUARY 8-11
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
Theme: Arts and Culture (three lectures) Theme: Fiction (four lectures)
JANUARY 12 FEBRUARY 23
LION OF JUDAH & POMEGRANATE COMMUNITY LECTURE
Featuring Mayim Bialik Featuring Eli Beer, President & Founder,
United Hatzalah of Israel
JANUARY 24
INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY MARCH 1 – MARCH 25
TH
Honoring Children of the Holocaust 12 ANNUAL
Jewish Film Festival
FEBRUARY 4
MAJOR GIFTS
An Evening with Jason Alexander To register, visit
jfedsrq.org/events
