False Dichotomies

One of the exciting things about Israel’s electoral system is that every new election sees new parties and alliances. Since the collapse of Livni’s attempts to form a government, we’ve already seen a new green alliance, as well as speculation that a new left-wing bloc will be formed. Perhaps even more significant, though, is the prospect – first mooted in Haaretz a fortnight ago – that Israeli-Arab MKS are considering a new party to represent the entire Israeli-Arab public. According to Haaretz, the group, which is made up of former and currently serving MKs, has suggested that Science, Culture and Sport Minister Ghaleb Majadele (Labour) be the party’s chief. Details are still scanty, but the idea is that the party will work for the “welfare” of Israeli-Arab citizens. Read more

Friday afternoon: A crowd has gathered at the entrance of Shuk HaCarmel. A band is playing (a man and a woman) Hebrew classics from yesteryear, songs from the dawn of the state, songs soaked in nostalgia, songs for a soon-to-die generation. The woman sits on a stool, singing. The man stands, juggling recorders like prosthetic limbs, playing the clown, caught up in the excitement like everyone else. One weighty old womans stands there, jiggling away, transparently happy, her cigarette nearly slipping from her fingers, an afterthought. An old man dances unashamedly, knowing there is no such thing as bad dancing, unconcerned as to whether he is being watched. “Shabbat is nearly here,” the singer announces, “so we’ll sing Hallel.” Around them, the urgent crowd of Friday afternoon shoppers carries on its business, emptying stock like ragged looters.