On Sunday, January 2, Israel extended its ban denying entrance and citizenship to Palestinians married to Israeli citizens. The ban, which expired December 31, 2010, has been extended until June 30 of 2011 by the ministerial committee for security affairs. This ban prevents any Palestinian man or woman from obtaining legal resident status in Israel through their marriage to an Israeli citizen. Arab minority groups and movements continue to push for a “Family Unification” provision, calling the ban “inhumane” and “racist.” Israel’s government fears that allowing such a provision would hinder control on immigration and threaten Israel’s Jewish identity. Arabs currently account for about 20 percent of Israel’s population.
This ban will certainly accomplish its goal in maintaining a primarily Jewish population. And while Israel’s desire to be a Jewish nation cannot be simplified down to one line of reasoning, it is safe to say that this ban is a clear demonstration of Israel’s fear of Arabs and Muslims. The Israeli government needs to more greatly consider the repercussions of such discriminatory actions. What they are communicating through things such as this family unification ban is fear and hate. Granted there is some precedent to these feelings, but their extent is quite irrational. Just because a few radicals exist does not mean every Arab has a violent agenda. In fact, I believe it is fair to say that a large majority does not. They are breaking up families and creating problems not only for the husband and wife, but also for their children and their children’s national identities, simply because one parent is an Arab from neighboring Palestine.
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