Problems Israel needs to solve

Submitted by Lorna Salzman (United States), Mar 23, 2012 at 13:16

Nothing will change unless and until Israel has a formal constitution and bill of rights, which it was supposed to have. When Arabs are given equal rights to land ownership, and before the law, they are more likely to prefer secular democracy, especially when combined with equal economic opportunity, provided they can resist religious Muslim fanatics. Once they have a stake in civil society and the economy, and feel protected, the smarter of them will realize that they are better off.

At the same time Israel has to resist the haredi, stop settlements, and lay down secular civil law on the ultra orthodox so they don't get special privileges and exemptions based on religion. Their treatment of women and non-orthodox should be curbed drastically. The ultra orthodox are no better than the radical Muslims with respect to women's rights. They must be forced to put secular civil society and law above their religion...just as Muslims in the USA must put our constitution above the quran. Israel's biggest challenge now is to become a truly secular state with equal rights for all embedded in a written constitution.

LS

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