What about the Syrian national anthem and its reference to "the abode of the Arabs"? Seeing as Syria has communities of Jews and Chaldeans, why should they be loyal to a nation with this racist phrase in its national anthem?

If that's too difficult to understand then imagine a member of the UK parliament refusing to stand for the National Anthem because he comes from Ireland or Wales or in the US because he was born somewhere else. I don't know how many native Americans there are in the House of Representatives or in Congress but I'm sure they stand. I don't know where you're from because you conceal your identity otherwise I might be able to make a more pointed response. Are you ashamed of to say where you're from? Mike

at tax payers' expense. No need for him to go to China or any place else. No need for him at all. The Chinese only increased their defense budget,because they fear a war with Japan or Vietnam? peres you are no militay expert,but a draft dodger. As for the arab min. of sport. Enjoy your position. There will never be another arab minister after you. I hope the next government jails you for disgracing our country and flag.

you can not and will not change that. That does not mean that we do not accept you and believe that you have a right to your country...JUST NOT OURS. Just a suggetion...but how about you bring the quality of human rights in just 1 of the 22 Muslim states with in a tenth of Israel's before you worry about us and our national anthem.

Just curious here, how does it feel to be a living brain donor? Medical marvels never cease. Listen, if Majadele, or you, or anyone does not like what an anthem, or any symbol stands for, then DON'T TAKE A SEAT IN THE GOVERNMENT IT STANDS FOR. If I detest Syria, does that mean I should emigrate to Syria and run for office, and then denounce the office or country, after I win the office? At least in Syria you would be properly shot for being a traitor, and hopefully, shot again for monumental stupidity. Unfortunately in Israel, we just promote and elect people like this for being "forward thinkers."

Majadele was probably mourning the death of Mahmoud Darwish, so he forgot about the official ceremony. Can't say I blame him, though: no Arab can hide his hatred for Israel. About the flag and the anthem. The world we live in is such that there are minorities living everywhere - some by birth, some by choice. Not all Arabs living in Israel have been born here, some got here by way of marriage - from Egypt, Jordan, the West Bank. Most of them have been granted citizenship. Ynet published a piece recently, about an Israeli Arab who wants to bring his Moroccan bride over to Israel. Most of them, if not all, have been granted citizenship. Some have even brought family members over. They chose Israel over their own homeland different reasons, my guess would be because the standard of living in Israel is way above any Arab country - income, freedom, freedom of speech, medical care, education, et cetera. To these people I say - you come here because you choose to and you want us to change our flag and anthem to suit your fancy? You deny our history and connection to this country, to the Temple Mount and to our heritage? And you do that with impunity, because you know that we are merciful and would never think of stripping you of your citizenship and sending you packing back to where you came from. To those who were born here I say - you don't like it, you are free to live and seek you fortunes elsewhere. There is a lot of movement nowadays. People are moving all over the EU looking for a better fortune. People are moving all over the ME looking for a better fortune, e.g. those whom I have just mentioned, who came to Israel "to follow their heart". There are minorities living in almost every European country. They have been there no less than you have been here, probably longer. Yet they have no problem with the flag and anthem of the country they live in. Take a look at the Olympic Games. You will see Hungarians competing for Romania, Romanians competing for Russia, Russians competing for Poland, Jews competing for all of them, a.s.o. They have no problem with the flag and anthem, because their nationality does not clash with their citizenship. If it does, they can relocate. So can you. Nobody is keeping you her by force. But as long as you are here you have to respect the flag and the anthem. Let me assure you that most minorities in the countries I have just mentioned have until recently not enjoyed the liberties you are enjoying in Israel. Most of them still have to enlist in their host countries' armies and serve. And that includes dying for their country. You do not even want to do national service - it clashes with you Arab identity. So you see, if Israel is not up to your standards, go away. You are not the only minority in the world. Nobody is keeping you here by force.