Ari Shavit: Palestinians Must Recognize the Jewish State

Palestinians Must Recognize the Jewish State - Ari Shavit (Ha'aretz)

The demand to recognize Israel as a Jewish state is the most natural and justified demand imaginable.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict did not start in 1967 and does not revolve around the occupation and the settlements. In order to end this 100-year war, we must recognize their nationalism and their state, and they must recognize our nationalism and our state.

Israelis recognize that there is another people in this land. There is no reason that Palestinians cannot open their eyes and see that there is another people in the land.

Those who believe the Israelis and Palestinians are equal have a moral obligation to demand from the Palestinians exactly what they demand from the Israelis.

The Palestinians must concede that the Jews are not colonialists but legal neighbors. There will not be peace if Palestinian children grow up not knowing that the country across the border is a legitimate Jewish state of a true Jewish people, whom they are decreed to live with.

It is those who give up on the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state who are actually giving up on peace.

Distributed by JCRC    Comments to jcrc@dmjfed.org

 

Feb. 15: Polk County Health Dept Health insurance enrollment fair

 

The Polk County Health Department, A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS), and other community partners will be holding a health insurance enrollment fair on Saturday, February 15 from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Evelyn Davis Center for Working Families (801 University Ave, Unit 3 in Des Moines).

In January, the group held a very successful event.  Because of this success another event will be held. 

 

Rick Kozin, Polk County Health Department Director said “Ninety-four people attended the event we held last month. Many of them, for the first time, were able to sign up for health insurance. We learned that having someone available to walk them through the process is what is necessary for some people to get signed up.”

 

In order to help individuals understand their choices and assist them with the sign-up process the health fair will be staffed by professionals from Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Coventry Health Care, Proteus, Primary HealthCare, Mercy Medical Center, UnityPoint Health Des Moines, Broadlawns Medical Center and CoOportunity Health. This enrollment fair will provide individuals with detailed information about each Marketplace health insurance plan offered in Iowa and can help determine eligibility for Marketplace subsidies.

 

In order to complete the enrollment application at the fair, please bring the following information:

·   Current ID

·   Social Security Card

·   2012 Income Tax Returns

·   If working, last pay stub

 

“For thousands of Iowans, this is the first real opportunity they will have to get their families health and medical costs covered at a price that is affordable” said Kozin.

 

In 2010 it was estimated that 13% of adults in Polk County were uninsured. Many others may have inadequate insurance to meet their family’s needs. People without health insurance often delay getting necessary care until it is unavoidable and more costly. A number of our community partners have trained their staff in the details necessary to provide assistance to families so they can take advantage of this opportunity. Spanish interpreters will be available.

 

To learn more visit www.healthcare.gov or call Ana at 515-323-5227 with questions about the enrollment fair.

 

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Sarah M. Boese

Health Educator, Public Information Officer, Wellness Coach

Polk County Health Department

1907 Carpenter Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

polkcountyiowa.gov/health

sarah.boese@polkcountyiowa.gov

office 515-286-3895 / cell 515-664-7869

 

 

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