# 114 – Remembrance & Independence – 2

April 28, 2009

Today is Remembrance Day. Another 2-minute silence ‘was sounded’ this morning at 11.00. Last week, it was the Holocaust Day. Today we remember those 22,400 who have fallen since ‘modern immigration’ began in the late 1880s.

Another example of everyone on their feet in respect, every driver stopping and standing, every supermarket till quiet.

Every 3rd car has 1 or 2 flags fitted to the windows, many roofs, streets are lined with banners. The 100 varied flags at every entrance to Tel Aviv (celebrating it’s 100^th birthday) have temporarily been changed to 100 national flags.

A wild display of patriotism!

Today, the mood is sombre. For 24 hours since sunset last night, TVs and radios play gentle music and broadcast interviews with those who have lost loved ones fighting – or just being caught up in this quest to have independence.

We all know at least someone…

I compare this to the ‘Chosen People’ but to which I recently referred. I’m not a great ‘flag-flier’. Never was a fan of Olympic podium, on which individuals beat their hearts, turn to their flags and blink tears in national pride. That’s just me.

But this is a vicious circle. It’s absolutely natural to be proud of one’s achievements in face of adversity. And as long as that adversity rears its (not always) ugly head, Israel’s going to be proud of its very existence.

A propos…

German airport authorities are finally considering ending the shabby separation of flights to Israel, especially noticeable in Munich. That modern airport still has an old terminal which handles Israel travellers, offering uncomfortable seats, a 10-product duty free and a kiosk.

Have you though just how inconvenienced travellers to Israel are – around the World, due to the fear of terrorism. And it’s not Israeli terrorism….

Rumour is that Ahmadinejhad has frozen skin samples, preparing for the new film: “Boys from Iran”. Cloning’s the ‘in-thing’ nowadays.

Following that pathetic show of support for the man in Geneva last week (I refer to those who stayed behind, listened to the man and applauded him – and still the neutrals out there don’t get what’s happening), Malcolm X’s daughter, Malak Shabazz (rhymes with razamatazz) criticised the supporters of Israel for their protests. Imagine: one of them, in a coloured wig (you surely saw him) actually threw his rubber nose at Ahmad. Oooh! What would you prefer? A shoe, a nuclear bomb or a rubber nose?

Politics? Don’t be too concerned at the words of Avigdor (means ‘cutey’ in Russian) Lieberman (‘loverboy’ in German), our new right-wing foreign minister. I’m about to read the interview with him in today’s Jerusalem Post…maybe I should read it first.  Most peaceful moves by this country have been made when the rightists have been in power.

OK – read it…Basically, you say ‘peace’ to the man, he’ll smile. But he knows, and I know (and you know) that the Arab World has changed little from that which existed when, between ’48 and ’67, there was not 1 settler, and it was the Palestinians’ Arab brothers who ‘occupied’ their land. Yet the friction that caused wars against Israel was no less then. We want to believe that times have changed. We really do.

And we needed this government…O’Bama (my fingers are still crossed) is about to give away like Santa Claus never did in his bid to solve the World’s problems and become the blackest, tallest (or at least tallest wife), youngest and least religious president in the history of the USA. Well, he ain’t giving away my family’s security.

PS – I honestly am planning to meet with an Israeli Arab dentist soon – and not only to discuss teeth.

PPS – I decided to leave this letter open to include a flavour of the Independence Day BBQ. First of all, this is what’s also growing on my jungle-like roof…

Another taste of Israel.

Reminder: Practically every first-time visitor to Israel I’ve met comes away with the attitude: Wow, I never thought it would be like that…

Stephen