Arabs In Israeli Government

Arab MKs from the Hadash party and Balad's MK Azmi Bishara vehemently oppose voluntary civic service for Arab youth lest it lead to their "Israelization." In Bishara's case this opposition stems from his political indoctrination at Humboldt University in East Germany in the 1980s, where he was taught there is no such thing as a legitimate Jewish state. Indeed, East Germany never recognized Israel and based its diplomatic ties with Arab states upon that principle.

However, times have changed. Communism, not Zionism, failed. It is East Germany that no longer exists, not Israel.

Bishara is having difficulty coming to terms with the fact that his education was upside down - but that does not give him the right to deny young Arab Israelis the opportunity to improve their standard of living. For indeed, voluntary civic service is the key to a better future for all young people in Israel