American Citizens vs Israel
I call your attention to the plight of the Yacoub family of Lakeland, Florida. The following link gives a good summary of the situation:
These are native born American citizens who flew into Ben Gurion in June but are not being allowed to use their return tickets because the Israelis feel they are tainted by Palestinian bloodlines. I became aware of the change in attitude by Israel toward ANY non-white visitors late last year after attending services for my sister. My entire family flew in from around the globe to attend. This included my son-in-law from India and my Mongolian daughter-in-law.
When we were all at Ben Gurion to fly home, my son-in-law traveling on an Indian passport had to plead to be allowed to leave because Israel thought he was muslim. He's not but it was not until I got my IDF nephew's commander on the phone to vouch for us was he allowed to leave. Later that day my Mongolian daughter flying on a US passport was subjected to the same kind of treatment. Isreali security did not understand Mongolians are buddhists -not muslims. The fact that she is a US citizen did not help her one iota.
Considering the situation of the Yacoub family one has to wonder about the value of even a US passport when it comes to combatting the discrimination of our Israeli allies.
Since the public relations aspect of this is awful for Israel, I imagine they must have some reason for instituting such a harsh policy. But I sure can't imagine what it is...
"If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." ~~ Abraham Maslow
September 6, 2007 11:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Truly appalling, and the attitude of our state department isn't very admirable either.
September 7, 2007 6:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
It seems like one purpose of this, although not one Israel will ever acknowledge, is to weaken bonds between Palestinians in the occupied territories and the Palestinian diaspora. The more things like this happen, the fewer Palestinians will visit relatives in Palestine. The Palestinian population will be even more isolated.
September 7, 2007 6:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
As a Jew this story freaks me out. My Grandfather and other relatives were in occupied Europe during the Nazi reign. I grew up listening to their stories about that time. The Nazis and their collaborators would go on witch hunts looking for people who had Jewish relatives in the past or present.
For example I had a cousin who was adopted at birth by a catholic family who never knew anything about Judiasm. Yet in Aix en Provence enough of the townfolk knew the story and turned her into the Vichey and she was never heard from again. She was 12 years old. These witch hunts tried to trace any Jewish blood - first to discriminate, then to incarcerate, then to the ultimate horror. Step by step jewish blood was traced and reviled.
It pains me to see my people following in these footsteps - looking for Palestinian bloodlines. Today, it's hardships and discrimination against Palestinians. Tomorrow may bring step two. It would be an easy transition for my settler relatives who, with only slight hyperbole, believe swine blood courses through Palestinian veins.
September 7, 2007 7:54 AM | Reply | Permalink