Each cafetaria has these days a television screen. The evening news starts with the national uprising against the prices of housing - and shows how the striking doctors are joining forces with the tent protesters.
"The whole state is breaking to pieces" complains the always friendly and goodmooded falafel seller.
"This rebellion may still repair it" I try.
"If we are no longer united, the Arabs will get the state for free" says he.
The Israeli mindset in a nutshell.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
One day of democracy
Very nice, the movement which tries to "preserve Israel's democracy", but did that not already cease to exist long ago? How can one call it a democracy when decisions affecting the lives of some 10 million people are taken by a government for the election of which several million are excluded?
That is because of a "temporary occupation", they say. "We didn't annex the occupied territories, so the Palestinians should not be counted."
But the occupation already lasts more than 44 years. Even considering that Israel existed as a democracy during its first 19 years, still it was most of the time an occupier, more than two thirds of the time, denying millions of people fundamental civil rights for many decades
Democracy, what democracy? Look what you would get if there would be one day of real democracy between the river and the sea - only one day in which was held a referendum: there would be an overwhelming majority for ending the occupation.
That is because of a "temporary occupation", they say. "We didn't annex the occupied territories, so the Palestinians should not be counted."
But the occupation already lasts more than 44 years. Even considering that Israel existed as a democracy during its first 19 years, still it was most of the time an occupier, more than two thirds of the time, denying millions of people fundamental civil rights for many decades
Democracy, what democracy? Look what you would get if there would be one day of real democracy between the river and the sea - only one day in which was held a referendum: there would be an overwhelming majority for ending the occupation.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Massada II
Once upon a time the magic formula "if you will it, it's no fairy tale" made a collective dream come true. At least so it seemed.
The idea had been to recreate a Jewish State in the supposedly-empty historical homeland. Gradually the years of exile would shrink and become "an intermezzo".
The "Dream Come True" turned out to be a Fata Morgana which lasted no more than one generation's lifetime. Two thousand years had passed, and from generation to generation Jerusalem was not forgotten. But neither was the Massada mentality.
Many saw it coming: "We are heading towards a Tsunami" they cried out on the streets, in Facebook and where not - but it didn't lead to the needed change of direction. "Criticism = antisemitism" turned out to be a powerful defense mechanism. Petty self-interest of ratings-addicted politicians did the rest. The privileges of the holy cows (the settlers) remained untouched (actually increased), and when the irresistible flood came, all drowned together: Jews and Arabs, the cows as well as the ones who had cried out in vain.
Massada II will never become a touristic attraction. When from Dimona a mushroom came up, the whole country was swallowed, leaving nothing but a deep hole in the earth.
The idea had been to recreate a Jewish State in the supposedly-empty historical homeland. Gradually the years of exile would shrink and become "an intermezzo".
The "Dream Come True" turned out to be a Fata Morgana which lasted no more than one generation's lifetime. Two thousand years had passed, and from generation to generation Jerusalem was not forgotten. But neither was the Massada mentality.
Many saw it coming: "We are heading towards a Tsunami" they cried out on the streets, in Facebook and where not - but it didn't lead to the needed change of direction. "Criticism = antisemitism" turned out to be a powerful defense mechanism. Petty self-interest of ratings-addicted politicians did the rest. The privileges of the holy cows (the settlers) remained untouched (actually increased), and when the irresistible flood came, all drowned together: Jews and Arabs, the cows as well as the ones who had cried out in vain.
Massada II will never become a touristic attraction. When from Dimona a mushroom came up, the whole country was swallowed, leaving nothing but a deep hole in the earth.
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