I had meant to rant about this a while back, but it sort of slipped my mind. Then this editorial in the NY times today got me all fired up again. Israel Katz, our Likud (fascist) minister of Transport (and Road Safety) has decided all road signs will only use Hebrew names. The article and many others (just google "israel road signs in hebrew only") don't really give the true story. Most make it sound as if Israel is changing all signs that currently have Hebrew, Arabic and English to only have Hebrew. This is not true, but the truth is still bad news. They will still keep the three languages only change the names to the Hebrew names. So Jerusalem will become Yerushalayim, Caesarea will become Kesariya, Nazareth will become Natsrat. Don't worry Raanana will stay as will Tel Aviv. Ben Gurion Airport, will become Natbag, descriptive isn't it.
It's just the kind of (not very well) hidden agenda, nationalistic ploy I would expect from this government. Their lack of strategy is only surpassed by their closed mindedness. Clearly the only thing that matters is not to be a "frier" (not being a sucker is the key to the Israeli psyche). In fact these were Netanyahu's very words in a New Year speech tonight: "We are ready for peace, but we won't be suckers". right.
Three chimneys
1 day ago
2 comments:
Hi Petero,
Israel is certainly a most extraordinary countrythat managed somehow to bewitch the western world.
I mean many of the country's policies and actions would cause an uproar if carried out by any other nation.
The question remains if this state of affairs can go on indefinitely. There might be a rude awakening, some day.
Georg
Georg,
Funny you say that. Living in Israel, we feel that the world will not allow us the smallest transgresion when most other countries get away with far worse.
Come visit us here and you will see what I mean. (And bring your paraglider. We have some beautiful coastal ridge soaring and mountain thermal flying, all within a small area)
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