Rights

Often times when pro-Israeli Americans talk about Israel, they point out that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East but there are other factors to be considered. Ten million people live in Israel and 2 million are Palestinians who have full citizenship rights. They are elected to public office and have religious freedom. In Muslim countries women and gays are discriminated against. Women have made recent progress in equality but still lag behind Israel. There are 67 antigay nations, mostly Muslims. The rules vary by country but in Saudi Arabia, for example, worship in faiths other than Islam is forbidden, there are no national elections and officials are appointed by the King. To qualify for citizenship, you must convert to Islam. Recently there have been demonstrations against the treatment of Palestinians by Israelis and one sign that illustrates the misunderstanding of what life is like in Muslim countries said, Queers for Palestine. Many wonder why women’s rights groups in American are not demanding rights for women in Muslim countries. Qatar, a rich modern Muslim country still has male guardianship rules requiring women to have male permission for key life decisions. Women need permission to marry and have limited rights on divorce. Child custody goes to the father. There are no laws on domestic violence or marital rape and women can go to prison for adultery.