The 'Demographic Rogue' and Borders in the Land of Israel

Abstract

Derrida's rogue model explains how the 'other' is characterized to form a threat on the existence of the 'self'. Demography plays a critical role in international conflicts, by creating these feelings of threat. As early as the 1930's, the demographic factor has become a central component in determining the borderline between national movements in Palestine, under the British mandate governments. The following research shows how the feelings of threat increased since Israel broke through the armistice lines and occupied Palestinian populated territories in June 1967. A rapid demographic growth of Palestinian population, the outburst of Palestinian rebellion against Israeli rule, and settlement of hundreds thousands of Jewish people amongst Palestinian villages and towns in the occupied territories, increased controversy within Israeli society, regarding the issue of separating the populations and the need to determine a clear closed border between them. The call of Arab leaders, citizens of Israel, to change the state's Zionist character, even further increased the trend of forming a demographic discourse which calls for separation