The song "Hello to You Saudi Arabia" by the Jerusalem Flower Choir came out so close to Prince bin Salman's declaration that it seems that he was just waiting for peace. "Saudi Arabia, tell us yes," the excited choir children sing, simulating a band playing Arabic music. These children grew up at a time when we managed to forget the children of Israel waving small flags in peace.
The Abraham Accords arose against the background of a blatant separation between Arab culture and that which developed in Israel, which aspired from the outset to separate itself from the region. The Zionist establishment perceived the Arab countries in a colonialist manner as in need of Western correction and assistance. Perhaps as a counterpoint, or perhaps inspired by the Jewish perception of the Jewish people as the light of the Diaspora, the country's leaders saw themselves as leaders of the region, the source of progress, the great liberal light of the Middle East. The emigration of hundreds of thousands of Arabic-speaking Jews presented a threatening possibility of Mizrahi Arab connection. Many resources have been invested in erasing any Arab trait that has been assimilated into their way of life. Cultural erasure has been done in many ways, including separation of children from their parents, through boarding schools, living on kibbutzim, or secularization in educational institutions.
But the Ashkenazi establishment's drive to separate itself from the Mediterranean has not subsided. To this day, the Abraham Accords and the upcoming agreement with Saudi Arabia are presented in the media with peace of mind, as if it were not a historic move that changed the Arab world's attitude toward Israel.
The claim that "peace is made with enemies" ignores Saudi participation in wars against Israel and their leadership of the Arab boycott. Peace with Saudi Arabia is so worthless in the eyes of the left that even the stupid male scene in which Yair Lapid whispered to Amos Hochstein at the signing of the agreement with Lebanon, "You'll be forgiven even for ruining relations with Saudi Arabia," did not make the media noise. "Left equals peace" was a central component of the identity of the left-wing camp, but it was undermined by the historical fact that except in Oslo, only the right made peace. The left and the media have increasingly reinforced the narrative that "until the occupation ends, the Arab world will refuse to talk to us." The truth is that we also don't really want open relations with the Arab world. The left-Ashkenazi establishment may even be ashamed of its ties to dictatorial states that violate human rights. The Olmert family and Einat Gaz, for example, would prefer to continue doing business in Dubai or Saudi Arabia without unnecessary noise. The idea of cultural peace also has little value on the left because it does not want this culture. The biblical connection between Jews and Arabs is also condemned by the enlightened camp. So in fact, the Ashkenazi establishment in Israel does not recognize the deep connection between Jews and Arabs. Those who are excited about peace are actually right-wing voters, especially Mizrahim – a right-wing faith-based public that has always been presented as a barrier to peace but now demonstrates the yearning for it.
Their strong desire for peace ridicules their labeling as extremist Bibists and Arab-haters. They also know how to live together.
The idea of cultural peace also has little value on the left because it does not want this culture. The biblical connection between Jews and Arabs is also condemned by the enlightened camp. So in fact, the Ashkenazi establishment in the country does not recognize the deep connection between Jews and Arabs
For Mizrahim, this goes far beyond economic relations. The language, culture and mentality they have always been ashamed of, which were of no use but harm, can suddenly open up possibilities and change their lives for the better. The Abraham Accords undoubtedly fulfill one of the Ashkenazi establishment's greatest anxieties – the connection of Mizrahim to the Arab world.
The people of this establishment took care of an insurance policy: they erased the Arabic language and culture of Mizrahim and established all the money and control over them. At the same time, they continue to degrade and diminish the relations that are being forged between Mizrahim and Arabs around the world.
Nevertheless, connections are formed, culture connects, spectacular musical creations are born. Mizrahim may have no reason to "miss it," but even those who were born in Israel and grew up as its citizens feel an intimate closeness to Arab culture and to those who hold it. Their joy is real. Their celebration is authentic. And that's really what misses the face of the Israeli left.
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