Word: israel
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Dates: during 1990-1990
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...often in our democracy, the decision-making elite is insulated from the consequences of its decisions. In order for a democratic government to govern responsibly, burdens and sacrifices must be equitably distributed among all citizens. This principle is affirmed by democracies as diverse as Norway, Israel, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Colombia, all of which have universal conscription. Let us fight if we must, but let us be certain that our goals are worth the sacrifice of thousands of sons--everybody's sons...
...Kahane emigrated from the United States to Israel and founded his political party, Kach. With Kach as his base of support, Kahane tried to exploit the irrational fears of the Israeli public. After decades of war, violence and terrorism in the region, many Israelis were mistrustful of Arab and Palestinian intentions. But these fears generally did not find expression in political extremism. Kahane fanned this spark of mistrust into flames of hatred...
...world Jewish community also repudiated Kahane. Many synagogues and other Jewish organizations refused to allow him to speak at their events. Mainstream voices in the U.S., including the ardently pro-Israel New Republic, routinely bashed Kahane. When Kahane came to Harvard just days before his death, the Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel staff and most of its constituents left the building rather than be present for his appearance. Most of the few who remained argued with him bitterly...
Their opposition wasn't surprising. It was Kahane who conceived the idea of applying a policy of "population transfer" to Israel and the occupied territories. He wanted to expel from Israel all Palestinians, including those who were honest, voting, law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. Kahane justified his plan by citing the Biblical precedent of kicking the Canaanites out of the Holy Land. Kahane also argued that expelling Arabs from Israel would represent just vengeance for the Jews who had were forced to flee Moslem countries when Israel was founded...
...such ambivalence came from Israel, which rejected the proposals. The Israeli ambassador to the U.N. reiterated his country's contested view that the Geneva Convention rules of occupation do not legally apply to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He added that Israel has "sole responsibility" for administering those areas and that "this responsibility is not subject to review or intervention by other authorities...