Lordo wrote:http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/05/bedouin-negev-israel?newsfeed=true
The plight of the Negev’s Bedouin
The oldest inhabitants of the Negev may be forced to relocate under Israel’s new land ownership plan
regarding Israeli governemnt plans to forcibly remove its Arab citizens from the Negev, allegedly so that it can settle more jews there instead.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... sfeed=trueHere is a quote from the report:
“The Bedouin are the indigenous owner-occupiers of the Negev – they have been there for thousands of years. Since 1948 Israel has built dozens of Jewish towns, villages, kibbutzim and farms while pushing the Bedouin into ever smaller enclaves. In Rahat, for example, there are 52,000 Bedouin living on 21,000 acres, while the regional council of Bnei-Shimon covers 440,000 acres and is home to just 6,000 Jews.”
The question that I would ask is: how reliable an ally can a country that treats its own citizens in this way really be?
You are better off accepting this.....
with enemies like this (Turkey), we need friends like that (Israel).
Because, let me remind you of something. Turkey has invaded and ethnically cleansed the northern part of Cyprus. It has colonised it with its own settlers.
Turkey also has committed far worst crimes against 20 million Kurds.
But you have come to a Cypriot forum to remind us that Israel has committed crimes as well. Well this may be true, but there is little that Cyprus can do.
But everyone wants to get a piece of my country, and in this bad neighborhood, we need friends that we can rely on in order to
survive. Sure, there is something in it for Israel as well. But, my little tiny homeland can feel safer and more secure as well as exploit its natural wealth with a country like Israel on its side. Who knows, Israel may also be the catalyst that will put an end to the occupation.
So give me Israel any day. I can rely on them! I can't rely on Greece or anyone else in this rough neighborhood.
Cyprus and Israel are now allies. Together, they need to face the big bad wolf to the north.
And with potentially vast amounts of Gas south of Cyprus, a future pipeline connecting Israel, Cyprus and Western Europe, and a processing plant in Cyprus, I think Israel is going to be the most reliable ally Cyprus has ever had. Israel will be our best friend.