Israeli democracy and anti-Arab bigotry

By Michael J.W. Stickings

I usually support Israel... sometimes. But it's making it increasingly difficult for us pro-Israeli liberals to do so. It's the excessive military action in Gaza, yes, but it's also the racist nationalism to which it so often succumbs. Here's the latest appalling example:

The Central Elections Committee (CEC) yesterday banned the Arab parties United Arab List-Ta'al and Balad from running in next month's parliamentary elections amid accusations of racism from Arab MKs. Both parties intend to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.

That's right, Israeli election authorities banned two Arab parties from doing what parties are supposed to so in a democracy. And why? Because "two ultra right parties" don't like them. And even though the decision won't hold up in court: "Members of the CEC conceded yesterday that the chance of the Supreme Court's upholding the ban on both parties was slim." But then why do it? The CEC clearly caved in to right-wing pressure and, in so doing, turned Israeli democracy, or what passes for it, into an expression of anti-Arab bigotry.

Fabulous.