We Were Here Before You

I’m angry at Bibi Netanyahu most of the time right now. I wish I could meet him and talk to him to understand why he is doing what he is doing and if he really believes this nonsense is good for Israel. Maybe this is some brilliant plan to get the world to realize how much we have yearned for peace and how much we are not the obstacles. Perhaps. Maybe…but I really don’t think so.

When I hear what he has done, I am sick with anger and grief. I read the words today of a mother whose son was stoned to death – he was 14 years old. Today, she is happy the murderer of her son, Kobi Mandell, was never caught. To watch him go free, is likely more than she could bear.

Bibi on paper seems to make no sense. When he talks to Israelis, he pushes us beyond where I believe it is safe to go. Ah, but when he speaks to the world, he is almost without parallel. Bibi can talk and when he does – in the simplest of terms – there is such magic.

Yesterday, I was furious with Bibi. Tomorrow, I will be furious with Bibi – but today, today, I love him just a bit.

An Israeli Arab member of Knesset stood up today and said, “We were here before you, and we will be here after you.” Jewish members of Knesset called out  in anger at the absurdity of that comment. And, as there was a bit of pandemonium, Bibi silently politely raised his hand and was called to the microphone…ah…when Bibi speaks…silence in the room.

“Speaker and members of the Knesset,” Bibi said, “I didn’t have any intention of speaking today, but I heard the words of Member of Knesset Jamal Zahalka.” And he looked towards Zahalka…was it my imagination that Zahalka was bracing for what he so deserved? “You said, ‘We were here before you, and we will be here after you.'” Bibi continued. “The first part is not correct and the second part…will not be.”

That’s all he said – that’s all he had to say. Knesset members started cheering; the speaker called for order, and Israel smiled. Ah, Bibi…

No, Mr. Arab member of our Knesset, you were not here before us and you sure as heck won’t be here after us. We were, we are, we will be forever a part of this land. It was, it is, and it always will be ours. If you can’t understand that…you understand nothing.

3 Comments

  1. If only Jews really meant it by paying respect to their dead…. by not allowing Jew-hating Arabs to sit in their national legislature – they would acquire some lasting respect.

    Netanyahu is a hypocrite and his words are cheap – just like Jewish blood is also cheap for him! Sorry, this is exactly why I am not cheering!

    When Jews learn to stand up and respect themselves, maybe the Arabs won’t be accustomed to insulting Jews in their own house. The Prime Minister’s response shows us that day has not arrived yet.

    You cannot make up for national humiliation, with pretty words, which is all Netanyahu has been good at his all life! I’m waiting for real deeds to prove to the world the Jews have in fact come home to their own country and that they’re the masters in their own house!

    Jama Zalhalka is right in a way – when Israel sit down and negotiates with visceral anti-Semites, no this is not a country that feels at home enough to feel that is this really our country! As long as Israel talks of giving away Jewish land to to Jew-hating Arabs, the Jewish people can never truly put the likes of Zalhalka in their place.

  2. Netanyhu is wonderful. I don’t know how he checks his temper. How can this Arab dare to say such things in the Knesset! I think he was trying to push for someone to attack him so it would make international news. Instead, in a few words, Netanyhu really put him in his place.

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