Religious Freedom in Israel

Sen. Barbara Boxer supports religious freedom in the democracy of the United States. However, she does not support religious freedom in the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel. American citizens who are Muslims are not permitted to enter Israel. Boxer wants Israelis to enter the U.S. without visas. (SF Chronicle, May 13, 2013) But Israel will not allow American Muslims to enter Israel except in a very limited and discriminatory manner.

The Israeli democracy, which allows some religionists to avoid military service, keeps thousands of Palestinians in camps, and violates treaties by allowing some Israelis to build luxury homes next to impoverished settlements on Palestinian land. Boxer wants special privileges for Israeli citizens whose government rattles sabers recklessly in a war weary world.