Are you with us or against us? - Dr. Haim Shine

by Dr. Haim Shine

A burning bomb fuse links Israeli Arab MK Hanin Zoabi, the Al-Aqsa-inciting Islamic Movement northern chapter, the people who honored former MK Azmi Bishara (suspected of aiding an enemy of Israel during wartime), and the Israeli Arabs who are joining the Islamic State terrorist group. This is a dangerous fuse, and it is stretching Israel's democracy to its limits. 

President Reuven Rivlin is absolutely right when he observes that there is a growing wave of violence in Israel. Even if the president is exaggerating, the roots of the problem certainly require a close investigation; this is definitely not a fleeting ailment. In any case, tensions within a multi-racial society, as serious as they may be, cannot serve as an excuse for open displays of treason, incitement or cooperation with hostile group. We must not give the world reason to censure Israel in a way that could put the citizens of the state in serious existential peril. 

The State of Israel, which seeks life, cannot allow the Arab Spring and the fantasies of an Islamic caliphate to disrupt its fabric of life. This is a life-and-death situation. For years we have felt first-hand the serrated blade of violent anti-Zionist incitement all the way from Grand Mufti Haj Amin al-Husseini to Izzedine al-Qassam and their disciples. The war against Israel's domestic enemy, which is digging tunnels of hate at home, is far more insidious than the war against our external enemies. 

Most of Israel's Arab population is not part of this hostile anti-state activity. I very much doubt that any of them would be willing to trade their life in Israel for life in the Palestinian Authority or any Arab state for that matter. Anyone who has tasted the sweet taste of democracy would never be able to live under bitter dictatorship and oppression.

It is important to mention that in the modern era, the media shapes people's perceptions. The media chooses to highlight extreme, violent and horrifying events because these bring ratings. This reality lends itself to a situation where the silent majority is rarely represented and stops being relevant. The silence of the majority of the Arab public in Israel in the face of anti-Israel activity puts them in a very problematic place. 

Israel's Arab citizens need to wake up. They need to decide whether they support extremists, including those who represent the Arab population in the Knesset, or speak out against these extremists, who are essentially taking advantage of them. They need to shake off the cobwebs lest they find themselves trapped in this dangerous web, and the sooner the better. 

The rights of minorities in the State of Israel are anchored in our Declaration of Independence. For years, despite ongoing criticism (some of it justified), Israel's Supreme Court has gone to great lengths to ensure equality, as has the government of Israel when needed. But all these efforts will have been for naught if Israel's Arab citizens don't decide where their loyalties lie: Are you with us or against us?

Dr. Haim Shine

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=10287

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