money is far more important than people, people!

by David Thu Jan 09, 2003 13:51

Also, you have to see the specific case of the Israeli working class. OK, it's a gross simplification, but the bulk of the Israeli working class are Jews from the Middle East, with the labour aristocracy and upper classes coming from East European Jews. So, there's an internal racial split too.

The Middle Eastern Jews, partly because they feel most threatened by them, have (in general) been the most militantly anti-Palestinian. It's a bit like how the Protestant working class has been pitted against the Catholics in Northern Ireland. Israeli 'Peace people' are more likely to be better off. For example, the majority of the conscientious objectors have come from Ashkenazi (East European) Jews.

So while classes uniting sounds great in principle, in practice, the Israeli working class is, if anything, more racist than its leaders. can't expect much from the Israeli working Hence, the boycott idea since, realistically you class. A bit like you couldn't expect much from the South African working class during their apartheid.

N.B. Israel has already asked for more cash from the Yanks. Usually they get about 4-6 billion dollars a year. This year, according to the Washington Post, they're asking for about 14 billion dollars.

by pete ranks Thu Jan 09, 2003 09:30

I never said I would like to see an economic crisis in Israel, what I wanted to do by posting this link was to show how the rhetoric being used by the media, especially in the States, makes more of the economic situation than of the real situation. I support all working classes around the place, and just wonder how the israeli working class can support someone like Sharon and his buddies. But there aren't many conscientious objectors, and ok, maybe the pressures on young men and women to do their 'bit' is great, but its up to the ordinary joe average on the streets over there to stop their government from following their policy of creeping annexation and denying the Paletinians their rights, and oh yes, using their massive US funded military machine against a people who don't have an official hameland. So there ya go Mr. Israeli worker, I don't like your government, and don't have a lot of time either for their supporters, but if a worsening economic situation can stop some of the craziness, then it can only be a good thing, better the isralei working class go through a lean patch and sort it out(imagine if all the military spending went into sorting out your economy in a peaceful situation!!), than the israeli working class going througha lean time and going to town on the Palestinians.
And in reply to the other post, I don't own any tarmac near Knock airport, nor would I like to, due to the fact that it could be a bit too close to overhead depleted uranium shipments, and in case anyone is wondering, there ain't no hard evidence to suggest that Knock is being used for refuelling, although contrarywise to what some folk have said, tis long enough.....

by Curious Wed Jan 08, 2003 18:31

who owns the second layer of tarmac on the runway of knock airport???

by Israeli worker Wed Jan 08, 2003 17:51

Pete Ranks says that making the economic situation in Israel worse is a good thing. I have no problem with hitting the Israeli rulers. However you must remember that there is such a thing as the Israeli working class which is oppressed by them also. Hitting Israel with boycotts and sanctions may drive Israeli workers into the hands of the Israeli ruling class.

The only solution is unity between the Arab and Israeli people against their real oppressers the Arab and Israeli ruling class.

by Disillusioned kid Wed Jan 08, 2003 17:33

I fear this may be wishful thinking. What better way to ensure that the population don't notice that the economy is going down the pan than having them terrified of the terrorist threat, while at the same time in awe of their leaders, striking suitably heroic postures as they report their victories in the battle of good against evil?

Sure i've heard that idea before somewhere...