January 22, 2008
Maybe A.B. Yehoshua needs a smiley icon
Ok, so Israeli novelist A.B. Yehoshua gave a speech in Paris recently and he used a poor choice of words.
But, seriously, do we need to turn it into an international incident?
Actually, this isn’t the first time Yehoshua has demeaned his Diaspora brethren while speaking to same. This evening, I was thinking that if only he could find a way to use one of those smiley emoticons (like this 
) during his speeches then everyone would stop getting into such a huff over his remarks.
Let’s compare.
First, here’s the insulting part of what he told the audience in Paris:
I am a total Jew because I live in Israel, but you in France are partial Jews.
Here’s what he could have said if he was blogging the speech to the audience.
I am a total Jew because I live in Israel, but you in France are partial Jews.
Big difference, huh? He’s not such a macho, blowhard Israeli after all.
Let’s try again. Here’s a quote he gave to the Jerusalem Post a few years back (which I lifted from Wikipedia):
Diaspora Judaism is masturbation. Here [in Israel], it is the real thing.
And now, with the emoticon:
Diaspora Judaism is masturbation. Here [in Israel], it is the real thing.
See, he’s really a very funny guy. (No emoticon necessary).
Ha! Steve you are a genius – I laughed out loud at this post. Thanks for making my day.
my pleasure, ilana.
thanks for the comment.