FORTY-FIVE YEARS ago Gamal Abd-al-Nasser died at the early age of 52. It is not an event of the past. It continues to have a huge influence on the present, and probably will on the future. My meetings with him go back to 1948. I used to joke that “we were very close to each … Read more
Abu MazenHas said whatWe all know:The status quoIs dead.The conflict cannotBe “managed”.If we don’tEnd the occupation,We will descendInto chaos. Published in Haaretz – October 2, 2015
“WE HAVE nothing to fear but fear itself,” said President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He was wrong. Fear is a necessary condition for human survival. Most animals in nature possess it. It helps them to respond to dangers and evade or fight them. Human beings survive because they are fearful. Fear is both individual and collective. … Read more
“Answer stonesWith bullets!”Cries the PM“Already 19 PalestiniansWere killed this year.Lethal shootingDoes not bring calm”.Said the Chief of Staff. Published in Haaretz – September 25, 2015
IN THE early 1950s, I published a story by my friend, Miko Almaz. At the time, the new State of Israel was in dire straits, its leaders did not know how to pay for next month’s food. Someone remembered that in a remote part of Africa there was a small community of Jews, who owned … Read more
“No reasonTo worry!We areAn islandOf stability!”So saidThe CaptainOf the TitanicTo his passengersIn a new year’s greeting. Published in Haaretz – September 18, 2015
I AM AFRAID.I am not ashamed to admit it. I am afraid.I am afraid of the Islamic State movement, alias ISIS, alias Daesh.It is the only real danger that threatens Israel, that threatens the world, that threatens me. Those who treat it today with equanimity, with indifference, will come to regret it. IN THE year … Read more
The GermansLearned something.We didn’t. Published in Haaretz, September 11, 2015
THE MISDEEDS of Napoleon’s occupation army in Spain were not photographed. Photography had not yet been invented. The valiant fighters against the occupation had to rely on Francisco Goya for the immortal painting of the resistance. The partisans and underground fighters against the German occupation of their countries in World War II had no time … Read more
The MayorOf Ramat GanWants to fireA teacherWho demonstratedAgainst the occupation.Already in 1950The Supreme CourtForbade the firingOf teachersFor their opinions.Then, it was aboutA teacher fromThe extreme right. Published in Haaretz, September 4, 2015