Steven Waldman

Steven Waldman

Let’s Stop Calling Israel The Only Democracy In the Mideast

posted by swaldman | 10:29am Tuesday June 9, 2009

iranian election.jpg
I was on a TV show the other day with an Israeli diplomat, who declared that Israel is the only democracy in the Mideast. I’ve certainly heard that many times over the years — including here, here, and here — and have even repeated it myself.
Isn’t it time we retired that notion? This week we read about Hesbollah’s election defeat in Lebanon and the tightly fought campaign in Iran, featuring ralliles, viral YouTube videos and televised debates. In the past few years ago we honored the purple fingers of the Iraqis who had gone to the polls, and bemoaned the results of the elections in Gaza that gave authority to Hamas.
I recognize that these countries don’t have all the characteristics of democracy — sufficient religious freedom, for instance — but they have the most important one: elections.



Previous Posts

Good Bye
Today is my last day at Beliefnet (which I co-founded in 1999). The swirling emotions: sadness, relief, love, humility, pride, anxiety. But mostly deep, deep gratitude. How many people get to come up with an idea and have rich people invest money to make it a reality? How many people get to create

posted 8:37:24am Nov. 20, 2009 | read full post »

"Steven Waldman Named To Lead Commission Effort on Future of Media In a Changing Technological Landscape" (FCC Press Release)
STEVEN WALDMAN NAMED TO LEAD COMMISSION EFFORT ON FUTURE OF MEDIA IN A CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE FCC chairman Julius Genachowski announced today the appointment of Steven Waldman, a highly respected internet entrepreneur and journalist, to lead an agency-wide initiative to assess the state o

posted 11:46:42am Oct. 29, 2009 | read full post »

My Big News
Dear Readers, This is the most difficult (and surreal) post I've had to write. I'm leaving Beliefnet, the company I co-founded in 1999. In mid November, I'll be stepping down as President and Editor in Chief to lead a project on the future of the media for the Federal Communications Commission, the

posted 1:10:11pm Oct. 28, 2009 | read full post »

"Beliefnet Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief Steps Down to Lead FCC Future of the Media Initiative" (Beliefnet Press Release)
October 28, 2009 BELIEFNET CO-FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STEPS DOWN TO LEAD FCC FUTURE OF THE MEDIA INITIATIVE New York, NY - October 28, 2009 - Beliefnet, the leading online community for inspiration and faith, announced today that Steven Waldman, co-founder, president and editor-in-chief, will re

posted 1:05:43pm Oct. 28, 2009 | read full post »

Secularizing the Cross (Christian Activists: Be Careful What You Wish For)
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week, in Buono v. Salazar, about whether a white 6 1/2 foot cross can be displayed in a national park as a tribute to World War I soldiers. Though it's depicted as a classic clash of the secular and the religious, it actually illustrates why Christian act

posted 1:15:51pm Oct. 08, 2009 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(7)
post a comment
jeff

posted June 9, 2009 at 12:09 pm


Hezbollah killed members of the march 14th government to get veto power and they got it.
Hezbollah shuts down the airport road anytime they don’t get what they want. A communication system of theirs was shut down at the airport and hezbollah took to the streets violently and got it back.
Hezbollah acts as an army when they aren’t the national army. Hezbollah makes foreign policy decisions like giving weapons to hamas through egypt and the kidnapping operation of israeli soldiers.
Lebanon is no democracy it is run by iran’s ally hezbollah.
Iran isn’t a democracy the president there has no power. The power is with the ayatollah iran’s supreme leader.
There is nothing more meaningless than the elections in iran and lebanon.



report abuse
 

freelunch

posted June 9, 2009 at 1:48 pm


As long as Israel denies the Palestinians the right to vote, either in Israel or as part of an independent nation, it’s unduly generous to call it a democracy.



report abuse
 

SoCalMom

posted June 9, 2009 at 3:24 pm


Not only may “Palestinians” vote in Israeli electionsm, there are “Palestinian” mambers of the Knesset. Please take your ignorance elsewhere.



report abuse
 

SoCalMom

posted June 9, 2009 at 6:07 pm


SoCalMom, perhaps I am ignorant,but I thought that the only Palestinians allowed to vote are those that are Israeli citizens, even then they are called Israeli Arabs.



report abuse
 

Inherit the Wind

posted June 9, 2009 at 6:08 pm


Sorry, SoCalMom, I accidentally used your name. Perhaps I am ignorant.



report abuse
 

SoCalMom

posted June 9, 2009 at 8:32 pm


Inherit:
The law in the US is that only citizens are allowed to vote although the decisions affect everyone who lives here legally or even illegally. There are some who live here in California who believe that non-citizems who live here should be permitted to vote.
Is that what you are suggesting?



report abuse
 

Your Name

posted June 9, 2009 at 9:43 pm


If freedom of religion is a criteria for democracy, in the middle east Syria would be on top and Israel way in the bottom, pretty close to Saudi Arabia. In some areas of Israel you can’t drive on Saturdays even if you are a muslim or christian, you will be arrested and jailed and your car confiscated, also you will be arrested for prostelizing a jew.



report abuse
 

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.

Share this story


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.