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02/25/2009
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The Case For ‘Responsible Citizenship’ in Israel

Lieberman says it is the “violent speech,” not the “nonviolent expression of opinion” of some Israeli Arabs that his party refuses to tolerate. getty images

by Avigdor Lieberman
Special To The Jewish Week

As we stand on the threshold of a new government in Israel, I am proud of our achievements as a political party. Yisrael Beiteinu has managed to rise from a largely sectarian party for Russian olim to the third largest party in the Knesset. How did it happen? And more importantly, how are we going to put our electoral success to good use?

During Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, I was appalled by the calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and for renewed suicide bombings that some Israeli Arab leaders called for at pro-Hamas rallies.

Although “responsible citizenship” had always been part of our platform, I realized that this was a burning issue that had to take top priority.

At a pre-election

We were the only Jewish politicians to react by demanding legislation to ban political leaders who wish to destroy the state.

In my adoption of an unapologetic stance on the duties of citizenship, I had strong role models from around the world. For example, Britain’s Home Office has recently drawn up new laws making responsible citizenship a requirement for those wishing to become UK nationals. Candidates will receive a probation period in which they must prove that they can contribute to the community. In the U.S., those requesting a Green Card must take an oath that they will fulfill the rights and duties of citizenship.

Some journalists have emphasized that I am proposing criteria for citizenship that other countries apply only to naturalized citizens and not to those native-born. To these critics I respond that it is an irrelevant distinction to make when discussing responsible citizenship. For did not native-born British men carry out the 2005 London bombings? A commitment to the rights and responsibilities of citizenship should apply to all, irrespective of place of birth.

Although my stance on responsible citizenship made sense to many Israelis, the intelligentsia could not, as you say in English, get their heads around it. “Racist” and “fascist” were the knee-jerk reactions.

I stand at the head of the most diverse political party in the Knesset. Four out of our first 10 Knesset members are women. Three out of our first 10 have a physical disability. Hamad Amer is a pillar of the Druze community. Anastassia Michaeli is the first convert to enter the Knesset. And David Rotem is a religious Zionist and obviously sees Yisrael Beiteinu as supportive of religious Jews. I find it a bit rich to be called a bigot.

Moreover, Yisrael Beiteinu has no objection to the nonviolent expression of opinion. It is violent speech that forms a clear and present danger that we refuse to tolerate. I am thinking of the Arab mayor of the Israeli town of Sakhnin who said during Cast Lead, “I call from here to the people in Gaza and say: Don’t be afraid, don’t give up, block them with your blood in order to build the state of Palestine, whose capital is Jerusalem.  ... Long live Palestine, whose capital is Jerusalem, and long live the shahids [martyrs].”

Another label that has been thrust in my direction is “far right” or “ultra-nationalist.” I want the State of Israel to remain a Zionist, Jewish and democratic state. There is nothing “far” or “ultra” about those ideals. I also advocate the creation of a viable Palestinian state. 

I welcome the contribution of minorities to Israel’s flourishing. We do not ask Israeli Arabs to share in the Zionist dream. We are asking them to accept that Israel is a Jewish state — the only one in the world. It is also the only democracy in the Middle East as well as the most advanced in terms of technology, health care and education. If those who strive to topple the state with terror and violence would instead focus on improving daily life, education, infrastructure, and health care, we could all move on to better lives for everyone. 

As part of the next government, I look forward to working with President Obama. I know that U.S.-Israel relations are as strong as ever, and that our shared values and interests make our friendship unshakeable.

Avigdor Lieberman is chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party.

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