Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, October 16, 2015

Israeli Gov't Under Pressure to Lock Down Palestinian Neighborhoods

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog has urged the government to temporarily close the flashpoint Temple Mount, following Tuesday's deadly terror attacks in Jerusalem. Herzog also called on the government to impose a lockdown on Jerusalem's Arab neighborhoods and fight what he called "online incitement" by Islamists. He made the comments on Facebook.

Herzog's statements come amid calls from politicians from across the political specturm for the government to crackdown on Arab communities inside Israel.

At an emergency security cabinet meeting convened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for later this afternoon, Education Minister Naftali Bennett will demand the government put Palestinian communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem on lockdown in response to Tuesday's string of deadly terror attacks. Bennett will also urge the government to move to destroy the homes of any terrorist – not just those who kill Israelis – and move to deport those implicated in attacks that wound Israelis.

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel joined the calls to impose restrictions on residents of East Jerusalem, as well as a closure on the West Bank.

"The security forces must take resolute action in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods,” said Ariel. “The residents of East Jerusalem must understand that they cannot lead a normal life while terrorism continues on the streets of Israel."

Public Security Minister Erdan is mulling immediate steps, including imposing a closure on East Jerusalem neighborhoods and easing gun-control regulations, and acting Israel Police chief Benzi Sau said at a press conference that during this afternoon’s security cabinet meeting the police will present a comprehensive plan to quell the recent bout of terror attacks.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat says he has asked the defense establishment to impose a closure on the city's Arab neighborhoods.

"We shouldn't allow them to enter,” said Barkay at the scene of this morning’s deadly bus attack.  “The lives of the residents of Jerusalem are more important than anything else."

Original Article
Source: haaretz.com/
Author: Ha'aretz

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