Shimon Z. Klein's Page

The Israeli General Elections are in the offing and soon the parties will be campaigning in order to win. One does not have to be a genius to realize that no party will gain an absolute majority. The idea of peace between Israel and her neighbours, especially her Palestinian neighbours, will be regarded as a hot potato by the triumvirate (Likud, Kadima and Labor). This will not be given high priority as it should. The party that makes peace as part of its agenda will not gather much votes.… Continue

I wish my Moslem friends Ramadan Kareem - peace, happiness and a successful fast

We are now in the post Zionist era of Israel’s development. There are those people who view the post Zionist period in Israel’s development as the period when Zionism has ceased to be relevant. The conclusion that one reaches is that the rot has set into Israel’s corridors of power and influence. This rot filters down from the ex- President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, “run of the mill” party political hacks, who are Knesset Members, and directors of government departments. The rot filter… Continue

The definition of Zionism has many facets. Before one can discuss this highly charged subject, it would be helpful to define Zionism in general terms. Zionism is the national revival movement of the Jewish people. It holds that the Jews have the right to self-determination in their own national home, and the right to develop their national culture. Historically, Zionism strove to create a legally recognized national home for the Jews in their historical homeland. This goal was implemented by the… Continue

Many Israelis view this solution as an anti-Semitic attempt to destroy Israel. However, as I have mentioned in a previous article on my blog, this is not a new idea at all. The idea was entertained by the well-known Jewish philosophers, Martin Buber and Judah Magnes in the 1920’s. The history of the establishment of the State of Israel is a tragic one. It provided hope for the Jewish people and the survivors of the Nazi holocaust while resulting in the displacement of the indigenous Palestinian… Continue