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David Weigel | May 16, 2006

Cathy Young heads to Israel and lives to tell the tale.

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Dave W.|5.16.06 @ 12:37PM|#

JERUSALEM, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon is contemplating to legislate a basic law, which prohibits Palestinians marrying Israelis from living in Israel, local newspaper Ha'aretz reported on Monday. Ramon told Ha'aretz on Sunday that he would bring the law before the Knesset (Parliament) for approval within about half a year. Ha'aretz cited Ramon as saying that the new basic law would establish the rules for naturalization of foreign nationals in Israel and would legally formalize the principle that "a sovereign state is entitled to prevent the subjects of an enemy state gaining status in its territory."

Ramon also revealed that the law would also include universal principles that will apply to Palestinians exactly as to other nationals. Ramon's statement came after the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected petitions by human rights groups to abolish an amendment to the citizenship law, which prevents Palestinians marrying Israeli citizens from requesting residency status in Israel by virtue of "family unification." Following a close vote of six to five on Sunday, the courtruled to uphold the Citizenship and Entry Law (Temporary Provision)of July 2003. The court said that the law did not violate constitutional rights and that if such violation did occur, the benefit derived from the law exceeded its violation of basic rights.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/15/content_4549101.htm

Dave W.|5.16.06 @ 12:55PM|#

I didn't realize that Palestine was a "state." I thought it was an occupied territory. I hope you didn't fall in love on the junket, Ms. Young, seeing how they are going to expand the no-marriage thing beyond just the 'Stinians.

Warren|5.16.06 @ 1:02PM|#

Yet he also spoke sympathetically of the Arabs and the Palestinians, the majority of whom, he strongly believed, want nothing more than to work and raise their children in peace. Unfortunately, he added, it takes only one crazy man to ruin everything.

That's a tempting view of things. I'm sure a great many people of the region agree with it. Unfortunately it ignores the sympathy and (at least passive) support inevitably given to their side's crazy man while passionately condemning the other.