Yesterday, on the drive up to Maine for the day, my Israeli boyfriend and I were discussing music. It's one of the things we do, when we're not watching films or critiquing them, we do music.
And while on the subject of music, he talked about the influence of Arab culture on Israeli music and aired some of his concerns. Is the embrace of Arab music under the guise of multi-culturalism another illustrative example of Israel getting swallowed up by the Arab world around them and shedding their identity, in the process?
This brings us to today's scandal du jour and the scuffle over Israeli TV anchor Anastasia Michaeli's "racist" comment that "sparked the ire" of many of her collegues at the Eurovision Song Contest panel. Michaeli expressed her concerns that the contestant chosen to represent Israel at Eurovision have a proper understanding of Zionist issues and not only be chosen from an artistic standpoint, but from a cultural and intellectual perspective.
Said Michaeli:
Representing a nation is an emotional hardship and the level of the contestants' professionalism should be examined. When they open their mouths they should show experience. One Lebanon war was enough, Israel's public relations should be appropriate, the contestants should speak English properly and when they are interviewed on foreign TV stations they should be able to talk about politics and have an education. We shouldn't just let them sing but also instruct them on what and how to say things. They should be able to convey our messages.
Official Israeli reaction to Michaeli has not been favorable:
Following the storm, the minister in charge of the Broadcasting Authority, Eitan Cabel asked the authority's director Motti Shakler to examine whether Michaeli did indeed make the alleged statements, and if so to take measures to dismiss her from the panel.
"If the statements were in fact made," Cabel told ynet," it is a very irresponsible statement bearing a racist and unacceptable tone by sectors in Israeli society that do not represent the spirit of the Eurovision and the world view held by the Broadcasting Authority and public broadcasting in general that represents all layers of society."
I can't help but feel a little saddened over the reaction to Ms. Michaeli's words. Israel appears more concerned with protecting their image than to acknowledge that there might be some truth to her words, however tactless and misguided the approach.
I like the precious information you offer for your articles. I will be able to bookmark your weblog and feature my youngsters check up here generally. I’m somewhat certain they are going to learn numerous new stuff here than anyone else!