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.