Sometimes political statements come from the least expected and least significant places on the surface. Sometimes the subject of this statement is not even aware that the words that came out of his mouth are political, and to what extent. Such a moment was recorded this week on Keshet 12's matchmaking reality show "Wedding at First Sight".
The production of the program decided to connect a Petah Tikvai groom from the Moroccan community with the daughter of members of Kibbutz Manara in the north. During the initial acquaintance at the televised wedding, a good kibbutznik from Manara was seen on camera, expressing his ridiculous opinion of the groom and claiming: "This Moroccan looks nice."
Some people consider any groom with North African pigments to be a minimum, so be relieved when it becomes clear that he is actually "nice." It's almost hard to believe, but some 70 years after it was written, Casablanc is still relevant to our lives. The hope and prophecy, that in the future sectarian talk would be superfluous because the gaps would blur and families would mix, fulfilled itself, but only partially.
The play "Casabalan", by the way, is currently being performed at the Habima Theater. At one of the last performances I attended myself. The most skeptical voices were heard in the hall when the same prediction, that a kibbutznik from Manara would no longer heave a sigh of relief when he found out that the Moroccan groom was actually nice, was expressed from the stage.
The play "Casabalan", still relevant to our lives,
Ostensibly, this is a marginal matter, almost esoteric, but one that expresses a more significant undercurrent. This is, in fact, a political statement that dictates the conduct of some of the protest's leaders and funders. "There are Casabalans out there and we must beware of them" is the guiding principle of figures such as Nehemiah Dagan, a brigadier general (res.), pilot and former chief education officer, who wrote a hate manifesto this week that, even on the scale of the current rift, was unusual.
Beyond the nastiness, identification with the authors of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the hidden hope that those who look and think differently from him will be persecuted as a gypsy, Dagan expressed his repeated desire for a short and violent war in which the other will be defeated, or in other words, the Kazbalan will be returned to his place.
This is the underground spirit that brought together Dagan's friends, the masters of the land, to go out and protest, to refuse and threaten, to disintegrate and divide. Thus, for example, Ehud Olmert declares that we must "move on to the next stage - the stage of war. And war is not waged in speeches; War is waged in hand-to-hand combat, head to head, hand in hand, and that's what will happen here"; Thus, former IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz can say that if the legislation passes, he "will not go to war"; And so in the calls by Ehud Barak and Yair Golan for civil disobedience and refusal.
Preachers of Refusal, Barak and Golan (Archive), photo: Marco
Meat from their flesh
Anti-Casablancism is a political movement that disguises itself in various ways, but there is nothing to disguise hatred and patronage. In the face of all this, the flesh of those despicable Kasbalans, President Isaac Herzog, will have to stand.
The ongoing talks at the president's residence are currently in the decisive stages. Herzog himself failed in the first round to break free of the political bed in which he grew up, when he announced the absurd and insulting "People's Outline" for more than half the nation, for which this outline was ostensibly written as well. Now Herzog got another chance.
The teams during the discussions at the President's Residence (archive), photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO
Will the president be able to present a balanced outline that will allow everyone to live with it and dislike it at the same time, or will he continue on the unilateral path of Aharon Barak and his friends Roznai and Susie Navot? Does he have the power to include the voters of the right-wing government in the conversation and a genuine national compromise? We'll find out about that in the coming weeks.
Israel returns to Rabat
Last night's reception by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana at Morocco's magnificent parliament building on Mohammed V Avenue, and his becoming the first Knesset Speaker ever invited for an official visit to the parliament of an Arab country, is a historic event. This is an important indicator of Israel's moves in the political arena in general, and vis-à-vis Morocco in particular. Since the renewal of relations, which were severed in light of the events of the second intifada and after the signing of full diplomatic relations two and a half years ago, there has never been an event whose power lies in its symbolism like this event, and its very existence ignites the imagination.
Ohana and the head of parliament present the agreement, photo: Jaouad ACIM
Since December 2020 – when the joint declaration of Israel, Morocco, and the United States was signed in Rabat, in which it was decided to establish full diplomatic relations between the two countries – this relationship has continued on the rise in all areas. Professional ministerial delegations visited Morocco, alongside important meetings of the chief of staff and the police commissioner; Civil ties between the countries gained momentum; El Al and Israir transported thousands of tourists and businessmen to and from Israel, together with Air Morocco; In the field of culture, Israeli plays have been staged in Morocco, including my favorite musical Habima's "Spanish Orchard", which was highly respected at Rabat's National Theatre.
In addition, the security ties between the countries have strengthened, delegations of young people and influencers are conducting reciprocal visits, and there has also been an improvement in academic cooperation between the relevant research institutions and the various universities.
Knesset Speaker Ohana enters the Moroccan Parliament // Credit: Jaouad ACIM
But in the midst of all these paths of mutual interest, one thing stood out in its absence - the symbol. The invitation of a symbol of Israeli rule, one of our three branches of government, which will definitively reflect Morocco's transition from an important but somewhat vague policy to an open and clear policy regarding diplomatic relations. An open and very important expression in my opinion, especially at such a sensitive time when Iran is drawing closer and closer to Muslim countries such as Egypt and Jordan, which have peace agreements with Israel.
Anyone looking for a different expression of the change taking shape can be impressed by the many dozens of publications and headlines that receive this visit through all the media channels in the kingdom. Almost all of them proudly note that Ohana comes from a Moroccan family and the fact that this is a unique invitation from the speaker of the Moroccan parliament, Rashid Talbi El Alami.
It is precisely at these moments that we need to remember one clear fact – that without the will and leadership of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, no such move would have taken place. I wish that its very implementation during this period would indeed symbolize the beginning of a new era between nations and countries.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us
