Religious Minister Eli Yishai defies God of Israel
By Jock L. Falkson
“ Israel will work toward the deportation of all illegal African immigrants”. Minister Yishai, April 16, 2012”
Minister Yishai has declared his intention to expel some 58,000 illegal immigrants from Southern Sudan presently living in Israel in bad conditions. While they represent less than 1% of the Jewish population – they are not permitted to work. In fact would-be employers face stiff fines if they employ these hapless people. Yet it is known they would happily do the kind of work Israelis don`t want to do.
If permitted to remain in Israel and become naturalized citizens, their young men and women would in due course become soldiers in our military. Unlike most of our deeply religious counterparts who are so experienced in the art of draft dodging.
Yishai has made hair raising history by announcing that Israel will pay any country which would take in any of these unfortunates. While it is doubtful that there are any such countries, how come the minister does not realize that his policy would provide the only true evidence that Israel is an apartheid state? Such worldwide, negative PR would undoubtedly besmirch Israel as never before and cost us dearly.
How odd that the strictly religious minister Yishai is not in the least concerned about the numerous biblical edicts which commit the Jewish people to befriend and care for the strangers in our midst? Here are just a few quotations:
“If a newcomer lives in your land and abides among you, do not reproach him, but let him be among you like one native born. And you shall love him as yourselves. For you were also newcomers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:33/34
“You shall not exploit or harass the stranger, because you were strangers in [a foreign] land.” Exodus 22:20.
“Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 22:21
“You shall not harass the stranger; you know the soul of a stranger”¦because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 23:9
“But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God”. Leviticus 19:34
“Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:18“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Love the stranger, therefore, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:18
How is it possible for Israels religious politicians to ignore Gods abundant specific injunctions not to harass, hurt, or be cruel to the strangers in our midst?
February 6th, 2013 at 9:21 am
As another SA executive, but left in 77, I have to take issue with many of your positions 1. Israel has dis-enfranchised the Palestinians (and Sudanese?), just Verwoerd did to SA Blacks… and we know where that is today!!! 2. Other peoples have been similarly treated, like Native Americans, Serbs/Croats, and today the Kurds, etal 3. Jews, of all people, should understand this concept having been the worlds scapegoats and whipping boys for 2000 years 4. History tells us the underdog usually wins in the end, but at what price to “die Baas” (The Boss) 5. Seems to me the Jews are extremely slow learners of history, or feeling so empowered by powerful friends like US,UK, that they are intent on REVENGE while they can?? At what long term price???
Actually I visited SA recently after 15 years, and was VERY pleasantly surprised at the numerous advances, esp the middle class Black and racial harmony in most places
May 3rd, 2013 at 1:25 am
You are regrettably ignorant of the fact that Arab citizens of Israel ARE fully enfranchised and in fact voted in 1948 for Israel`s first parliament, electing 3 of its community as members of Israel”˜s Knesset. They have recently elected 13 MK`s (members of Knesset) in Israel”˜s 2013 elections.
Polls in recent years constantly reveal that Israel`s Arab citizens don’t want to emigrate to surrounding Arab countries. Nor do they move to areas in Israel which are likely to become part of the new state of Palestine should a two state solution come about. Israel`s Arabs appear to be quite happy to live in the democratic Jewish state where they have entrenched equal rights. They are particularly grateful to receive the same generous medical, child and old age benefits obtained by Jewish citizens.
I ignore the rest of your diatribe since it is based on your ignorance of the true situation.
Jock