Comments on: I am Israeli

By: Madzionist

Madzionist — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:33:31 +0000

Sorry, I didn’t give you my website address. http://madzionist.blogspot.com/

By: Madzionist

Madzionist — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:02:53 +0000

Peter, go to my site and click on the Hatikva Rock video on the side bar. You may just change your mind about Israel’s national anthem!

By: Avram

Avram — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:06:03 +0000

““I wonder why …”

Should have said “military funerals and tiksei hazkara”. I’ve had my share of those, unfortunately…”

I knew why mate, I do live here too ole chap – it’s unfortunately, part of the scenery.

“But, seriously, isn’t this stolen Romanian melody the pits of depression?”

For you, yes. I get goose bumps with it all the time – but I’m one of those old fashioned Zionist folks, so I’m not the ‘norm’.

By: Peter D

Peter D — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:42:12 +0000

“I wonder why …”

Should have said “military funerals and tiksei hazkara”. I’ve had my share of those, unfortunately…
But, seriously, isn’t this stolen Romanian melody the pits of depression?

By: Avram

Avram — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:07:57 +0000

“Sorry, really cannot stand this anthem, reminds me of military funerals ”

I wonder why …

“Second, it would have been different for you if the SA anthem spoke of the “soul of a black man””

I don’t think I’d have a problem tbh – but I obviously get your point.

By: Peter D

Peter D — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:43:49 +0000

Avram, re-reading your and my comments above, it looks like I was barging into an open door this time. Sorry.

By: Peter D

Peter D — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:31:30 +0000

“I don’t identify with the national anthem of my birth country (N’kosi sikelel i’Africa) but I’d stand and respect if I was there.”
Well, first, I think, most Israeli Arabs do respect Israeli anthem, they just cannot identify with it. Second, it would have been different for you if the SA anthem spoke of the “soul of a black man”, wouldn’t it? Or, imagine you were a citizen in an Arab country and how you’d feel about an anthem speaking of “the Arab soul”.
Sorry, really cannot stand this anthem, reminds me of military funerals every time I hear the sorrowful melody. and sometimes I have a creepy thought that maybe it brings bad luck – maybe it’s time to stop singing about hoping “to be free people i our country”, but rather about being free people.
The flag, I hope, could stay. Adding elements to it will destroy the nice design. And, hopefully, in a more equitable and just country it’ll stop being associated with bad things and more people will be able to identify with it.
Sorry, don’t know anything about “anashim tovim”.

By: Avram

Avram — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:44:42 +0000

“But I am trying to put myself into an Arab citizen’s shoes nad I cannot see how he or she could identify with them”

I don’t identify with the national anthem of my birth country (N’kosi sikelel i’Africa) but I’d stand and respect if I was there.

Is it problematic for them? Sure, and I obivously understand (doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out).

There was a case a few years back where a converted Muslim basketball player (Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf I think) refused to stand up for the US National anthem. Caused a major problem obviously and eventualy he just stood up, and prayed while the national anthem was said. I think that says something.

“If the price of keeping the symbols is the constant feeling of exclusion of a huge group of citizens, I am not sure it is worth it.”

Would you rather ‘anashim tovim’, which was seriously considered in the 1980s?

By: Avram

Avram — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:53:12 +0000

The Arabs are good company dude – they are our neighbors after all.

I don’t know what Puerile is – I have to bring out the bloody dictionary again.

By: Peter D

Peter D — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:28:21 +0000

Avram.
“Now I wonder why you want that … Remove more Jewish symbols, further taking away from the Jewish character of the State. Sheesh … Don’t beat around the bush.”
Actually, I love the flag, always did, though I can’t stand “Hatikva” – it sounds like a funeral march. But I am trying to put myself into an Arab citizen’s shoes nad I cannot see how he or she could identify with them. If the price of keeping the symbols is the constant feeling of exclusion of a huge group of citizens, I am not sure it is worth it. Maybe a solution would be to have a plebiscite about it. If, say, two-thirds vote for the current symbols – keep them. Less than that, try to come up with an alternative.
“I doubt that’s true – I’m quite sure I’ve read of similar things happening in the Arab world, but I’ll have to confirm it, time pending, tonight with some research.”
So, another good company you want to be in?
“This guy is your Jesus eh? Magnes and Buber … What a lovely bunch they were.”
Puerile, Avram…