My letter to the Economist RE Israel's Jewish identity. The state we're in

Palestinian Refugees

RE: Israel's Jewish identity. The state we're in
http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/03/israels_jewish_identity

Dear Sir,

Religion should be a personal choice- not a government mandate. As an American, firmly believing that real democracy and true justice and equality depend on firmly respecting universal basic human rights- regardless of race, religion and gender, I am utterly horrified by Israel's bigoted refusal to respect the Palestinian refugees very real right to return to original homes and lands. Let Israel define its own Jewishness however it wants as long as Israel is not harming or harassing non-Jews: Forcing non-Jewish Palestinians into exile and/or poverty is clearly wrong- we should not even need UN Resolutions to point that out.

That said- I also think Palestinians world wide should be investing in the creation of a separate secular Palestinian state to live in peace and security alongside the nation state called Israel. No refugee should be forced to live in new Palestine, but every refugee should be free and empowered to make it their permanent home in hopes of helping to build a beautiful new real Palestine with a healthy economy and a peaceful progressive future for all the people.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

The Day of the Land by Tamam Al-Akhal

NOTES

GROWING GARDENS FOR PALESTINE