demographics

Have you ever had one of those thoughts that really makes you stop and think?  I just had one that sent me immediately to the blog to get it down on paper (on keyboard?). 

I am sure this parallel has been seen and discussed at length by experts, but I have never seen it.  I major discussion in Middle East peace politics is the peril of demographics for Israel.  The Arab population is growing much faster than the Jewish population, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank.  If Israel wants to remain a Jewish State (which many think is necessary for its survival, let alone its identity), it is simply a fact that it needs to pursue a two-state solution. 

As we approach Passover, I was thinking that in the Exodus narrative, Pharaoh sees the growing Jewish population in Egypt and fears that at some point they will revolt.  As a result, he forces them into slavery and hard labor.  The worry originated in demographics rather than any revolutionary actions by the Jews. 

The parallel is not exact for a variety of reasons, but the similarities are relevant.  If peace gets delayed over and over and over again as it has been over the recent decades, what will Israel do when the population hits an inflection point?  Then, it will too late.