Yes, yes, an Israeli musician is performing in Cairo, Egypt's Capital. Yes, Yes, Egyptians bought tickets to Daniel Barenboim's concert in the Egyptian Opera House.
Usually, the word "Israeli" is the perfect synonym for "enemy" in Egypt and the Arab world. Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with 'the enemy' though; putting by that an end for the long devastating wars. Egyptians, until this day, are still fighting to keep the diplomating relations from developing to become normal, or even more!!!
Usually, the word "Israeli" is the perfect synonym for "enemy" in Egypt and the Arab world. Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with 'the enemy' though; putting by that an end for the long devastating wars. Egyptians, until this day, are still fighting to keep the diplomating relations from developing to become normal, or even more!!!
Who is Daniel Barenboim???
Daniel Barenboim is an Israeli Jewish musician, who also holds other several passports, Spanish, Argentine, and, surprisingly, an honorary Palestinian Passport.
The best way to know Barenboim is his own sayings:
"There is no way Israel will deal with the Palestinians if the Palestinians do not understand the suffering of the Jewish people ... [N]now fifty years after that we have to accept co-responsibility for Palestinian suffering. Until an Israeli leader is able to utter those words there will be no peace."
In an interview with British music critic Norman Lebrecht in 2003, he accused the Israeli government of behaving in a manner which was, "morally abhorrent and strategically wrong", and, "putting in danger the very existence of the state of Israel."
I have no doubt that the existence of Israel isn't our first concern, in fact the exact opposite is, however, having a known Israeli musician defending the Palestinian rights, accusing the Israeli government for the crimes committed towards Palestinians, accusing the settlers, performing in Ramallah twice (in spite of the Israeli government's warnings), and cancelling several performances because of the last Gazan massacre, is appreciated. This even reminds me of the Jewish rabbis who visited the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran to show support against the Israeli forces, and the Israeli existence.
The best way to know Barenboim is his own sayings:
"There is no way Israel will deal with the Palestinians if the Palestinians do not understand the suffering of the Jewish people ... [N]now fifty years after that we have to accept co-responsibility for Palestinian suffering. Until an Israeli leader is able to utter those words there will be no peace."
In an interview with British music critic Norman Lebrecht in 2003, he accused the Israeli government of behaving in a manner which was, "morally abhorrent and strategically wrong", and, "putting in danger the very existence of the state of Israel."
I have no doubt that the existence of Israel isn't our first concern, in fact the exact opposite is, however, having a known Israeli musician defending the Palestinian rights, accusing the Israeli government for the crimes committed towards Palestinians, accusing the settlers, performing in Ramallah twice (in spite of the Israeli government's warnings), and cancelling several performances because of the last Gazan massacre, is appreciated. This even reminds me of the Jewish rabbis who visited the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran to show support against the Israeli forces, and the Israeli existence.
What about the timing?
Is the Egyptian government that stupid to bring up such a sensitive case while it's already involved into another major one? Why did Egypt wait until now to bring up BACK the Hizbollah members' case while it was revealed by authorities, months ago? Egypt knows that there's only one spotlight for the opposition and the conservatives, and this brand new case will absolutely distract the eyes that were standing against Egypt's step in reporting Sayyed Hassan Nasrullah to the United Nations Security Council. Egypt is playing a clever game. Clever Egypt forgot whom their friends, Israel and the US, described as the smartest politician. Well I'll save you time, it's his Excellency Sayyed Hassan Nasrullah. Most probably the one party that gave Israel, the un-defeat able army, a fine headache, will make Abul Ghait roll around himself singing 'Hava Naguila'.
Israel will always be the enemy, indeed. However, what about those who only hold the passport to travel and live, the ones who aren't Israelis, they are only referred to as ones. What about those who are the minority of the minority in Israel, that are against the existence of Israel, and are against the immigration to the holy land, at the first place??
Well, 'Israel' is the enemy, when the thought or the action is....After all, we all know Arabs who are given Islamic names, who pray towards Kaaba, and yet they are Israelis,,, Thoughts and Actions.
