Problem
The Law of Return is certainly one of the most important, and most controversial, aspects of the issue at hand. Its critics claim that it is discriminatory and antidemocratic, and regard it as something of a 'smoking gun' for the purpose of proving that a Jewish state and liberal democracy are fundamentally incompatible. Thus, for example, Baruch Kimmerling, Professor of Sociology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, describes the Law of Return not only as a violation of civil equality, but also as the central obstacle to the transformation of Israel into a properly functioning democracy:
The most substantial step toward normalization and democratization of the state, and toward granting equal civil liberties to all, will be the reform of the laws governing immigration. It is not possible to exaggerate the importance of such a step: a basic political and social inequality is inherent in the Law of Return.
Task
A. What do you think are the human rights grounds for Kimmerling to make his argument?
B. How does the argument that Kimmerling presents personify a central/core issue (or tension) that is at the heart of Israel's existence?
C. What can you offer as a counter to Kimmerling's argument, using information/material from our course?