My Jewish narrative
Response to education minister who added Palestinian narrative to Arab textbooks
A few years ago, falafel balls adorned with the Israeli flag were being handed out at the University of Haifa ahead of Independence Day. An Arab student who studied with me came over and said with a smile: "Look at that. You even stole our food from us, the Palestinians, and put your flag on it." That was his "narrative." "Look at that," I responded. "You stole from us the belief in one God, Abraham our forefather, our only country, and in addition to all that you also stole my uncle's Mitsubishi." That was my "narrative."
For some reason, whenever I hear the word "narrative" I immediately sense the stench of lies tickling my Jewish nostrils. I found this word too often in articles written by those "new historians," who in order to advance their anti-Israeli and post-Zionist ideas invented the term "narrative."
"Narrative," just like "occupation," always works only one way. This word is used today as a nice wrapping paper that covers the miserable adventure which Land of Israel Arabs were dragged into in 1948.
We can simply say that during that year they chose to "drown the Jews in rivers of blood" and failed. Many of them apparently regret it to this day. Instead of drawing the right conclusions and attempting to live in peace with their Jewish neighbors, their leaders constantly seek to undermine the Israeli flag, as can be attested to by the mustache of former Knesset Member Bishara, which recently became ever-so-closer to Nasrallah's beard.
It is no secret that post-Zionist historians have turned history into irrelevant post-history. Instead of describing events in a manner that approaches objectivity as much as is possible (as there is no such thing as pure objectivity,) they tend to rewrite them.
Paradoxically, these approaches, which make pretenses of presenting the point of view on both sides, argue that only one moral side exists – the Arabic-speaking side. Now, it turns out that school curriculums will be formulated based on this premise as well.
Arab kids should be feeling uncomfortable
Supporters of this curriculum argue, as far as I understand, that one of its objectives is to make Arab children feel more comfortable. Well, in my view they should be feeling very uncomfortable because their previous Arab leaders, just like those who continue on the same path these days, preferred war over the UN partition plan.
They should also feel very uncomfortable with the pact those leaders made with the Nazis in order to solve the "Jewish problem" in Palestine. Who knows, maybe this feeling of discomfort of all things would make Arab children mature into a reality that is less eager to murder Jews? Perhaps this will open their eyes to see that just like in 1948, they are again being dragged into needless bloodshed that exacts a heavy price?
So for once, Yuli (education minister Tamir,) I want you to hear my narrative too. Who knows, maybe you will even choose to add it to textbooks.
Well, my narrative is that in every Arab village where you dig a little, you will find a synagogue.
My narrative is to find a 3,000-year-old inscription and read it using the language I speak today, and realize that history did not start in 1948, but rather, it was started by King David in 1048 BCE.
My narrative claims that those who have a problem with the Israeli nationality and therefore do no perform national service instead of military service should not be receiving social benefits either.
According to my narrative, those who wish to live in peace with me are welcome, but those who wish to arrange yet another Holocaust for me should take into account the possibility of other Nakbas as well.
My narrative is very simple: To survive.
Did you get that?
