Israel is well up the rung of the ladder as being a fascist state. Granted, it isn't yet a fully fledged fascist state but it displays many of the classic characteristics of one and to deny this is to be an apologist for the actions of the said state that give rise to the said characteristics. Marlowe, Moon and myself cannot understand why you are continually prepared to sidestep the overriding motivations of this state which are expansionist in nature. In this sense, whether the epithet 'fascist' is applicable to Israel is essentially moot. I actually happen to be of the opinion that 'fascist' is a term that is too readily used because in so doing it's impact is lost in terms of Hitler fascism, for example. This is why I'm reluctant to use it. I don't recall describing Israel as a fascist state per se. However, that's not to say it's a) not on the road to being one, and b) doesn't display many of the characteristics of one. So I disagree with you that Israel is far far from a fascist state. How far down the road does an illegal expansionist state have to be before it becomes anything like approaching a fascist state, in your opinion? In my opinion Israel is both a rogue and pariah state that displays many of the characteristics of a fascist state.
Israel is a long way away from being a fascist state. this stupid accusation has been beaten to death many times around here, but it keeps coming back because its a "go to" for the more extreme anti-zionists and their jew hating cousins. Using your criteria of what makes a fascist state (which is so vague as to be laughable), you can pick any country on the planet and I will be able to point out some policy, law or cultural aspect that would be shared by a fascist regime. The use of such an intellectually lazy and completely inaccurate label is right out of propaganda 101. Please point out any of my posts where I endorse or support the settlement program. I have repeatedly taken the view that it is land theft. Perhaps you have simply ignored my debates with Hbendor on the subject. then don't use the term as it is both fallacious and inflammatory. Well, your opinion a) its on the road to being one denies the political realities of contemporary Israel and b) displays "some" characteristics that are shared by every other nation on the planet. I presume you mean that expansionism is illegal, not the state itself. I completely agree that annexation is illegal. I have already demonstrated that Israel is not a rogue state by definition - its really not hard to obtain that definition. As for being a pariah, it seems rather odd that a pariah state should have such extensive international ties. Apart from their traditional enemies, I am not aware of any meaningful diplomatic or economic sanctions being imposed, such as those applied to North Korea - a true pariah state. Your insistence in using the propaganda vocabularly that is innaccurate, meaningless and designed solely to evoke a negative visceral reaction amongst the ignorant is your right, as is mine to expose such intellectual midgetry. In the meantime, Israel remains a democracy under the rule of law, with freedom of thought, speech, worship, movement etc., featuring a relatively stable capitalist based economy with appropriate government controls and a fairly strong social safety net. Hardly the underpinings of a fascist state. Anytime you want to nibble around the edges and list the many uniquely fascist characteristics of Israel's government, I would be delighted to acknowledge, reject and/or debate them.
