There is a justifiable uproar in the Knesset over this. Zoabi’s loyalties are questionable, as are those of many other Arab Members of the Knesset.
Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi defended her position by saying that “she does not know the anthem by heart.” She did not think it important enough in her role to learn it. She did state, however, what is important to her:
“that the appointment – the highest ever for an Arab woman in Israel – is very meaningful to Arab society.”
She also asserted…
“I am sure that Lapid appointed me because of my diplomatic and personal abilities.”
It is highly likely that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who aims to obliterate the state of Israel from the River to the Sea, also sees himself as having “diplomatic and personal abilities,” but loyalty to the state of Israel, which Zoabi is supposedly dedicated to serving, is another question.
Zoabi highlights the fact that there are other Arab MK’s with divided loyalties, but who may not be willing to make the open statement that she has made about it.
These are the lyrics of the Israeli national anthem, Hatikva:
As long as in the heart within,
The Jewish soul yearns,
And toward the eastern edges, onward,
An eye gazes toward Zion.Our hope is not yet lost,
The hope that is two-thousand years old,
To be a free nation in our land,
The Land of Zion, Jerusalem.
It is a declaration that anyone could state in agreement with Jews and the state of Israel. But:
“The phrase ‘Jewish soul’” – which appears in the anthem – “excludes me,” Zoabi said.
“Uproar over appointment of Meretz MK who ‘doesn’t sing Hatikva’ as Shanghai consul,” by Lahav Harkov, Jerusalem Post, February 23, 2022:
Meretz MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi said she is alienated by Israel’s national anthem, the day after Foreign Minister Yair Lapid announced her appointment as Israel’s consul-general to Shanghai, sparking an uproar in the coalition and opposition.
“It is unthinkable that someone with non-Zionist positions as hers are will be the face of Israel in an important country,” Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel said in a meeting on Tuesday, soon after Zoabi’s appointment was announced, Channel 12 reported.
The next morning, Zoabi was asked in an interview on KAN News if she recognizes Israel as the Jewish state.
“Israel is a democratic country and I want it to be more democratic,” Zoabi responded. “I mostly want it to be more equal. I entered the Knesset mostly in order to promote equality.
Zoabi pointed out that, like all lawmakers, she pledged loyalty to the state upon becoming an MK.
When asked if she would sing ‘Hatikvah,’ she said that she does not know the anthem by heart.
“The phrase ‘Jewish soul’” – which appears in the anthem – “excludes me,” Zoabi said….
Likud MK Ofir Akunis called Zoabi’s appointment “political corruption” and “the death rattle of a government coming to an end.”….
Frank Anderson says
US law does not apply in Israel, except as possibly persuasive guides to Israeli interpretation of its law. The US Supreme Court held in Bond v. Floyd, a 1966 case, that a legislative body has no authority to challenge the loyalty of a duly elected member. This means in the US the Oath of Office taken by all officials is purely for form and show, with no requirement of sincerity or commitment. If a person can get elected to public office in the US, that person is free to seek AND PROMOTE the overthrow of the Constitution and the destruction of the United States. There are times when bad rules teach the need for good rules. “The United States Constitution is not a suicide pact.”
raja says
Frank Anderson,
People like Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib are trying hard to undermine US constitution and all the systems from within. It does look like a suicide pact as nobody could have envisaged then that islam was capable of eroding everything from within like termites and thus render a nation hapless. The juggernaut of the evil cult seems to be rock solid as it has not been called out for what it is at least in political circles.
As you are learned person I request you to clarify this supposed lacunae
Frank Anderson says
IN THE US, as long as Bond v. Floyd continues as controlling law for every federal and state court, elected representatives are free to advocate the overthrow of the Constitution and destruction of the United States. The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal system. Under Article 6 Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, federal law shall be the supreme law of the land and the judges of every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. If enough people are elected to office who wish to destroy our country, it can be done with the same legal compliance as Hitler taking Germany into Nazi dictatorship, mass murder, war crimes and destruction. An elected representative’s motives, loyalty and sincerity in taking a prescribed oath of office cannot be challenged. Please take the time to read the Bond v. Floyd case which is available for free online. You may see something I missed.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
I am having trouble understanding the words of this anthem.
As long as in the heart within,
The Jewish soul yearns,
And toward the eastern edges, onward,
An eye gazes toward Zion.
Our hope is not yet lost,
The hope that is two-thousand years old,
To be a free nation in our land,
The Land of Zion, Jerusalem.
So this eye gazing toward Zion (Israel) is eastward of it, like in the Mediterranean Sea, or Italy?
Is the wording “two-thousand years old” a reference to Jesus?
BexarKat says
No and No
Eastward from the great diaspora, which extends south, north, and west.
No reference to Jesus, but a reference to the dispersion of the majority of the Jews, many of whom were enslaved by the Romans and taken to Rome, and from there eventually further dispersed throughout the world.
gravenimage says
Spot on, BexarKat.
BexarKat says
Much ado about nothing. Many non-Israeli Zionist Jews, me included, have to stumble our way through Hatikvah. This is what a democracy is about. There is a Black state Congressman from Nebraska who calls our national flag “a rag.” Is he banned from the state Senate? This is how Democracies are supposed to work. Those who do not recognize that are joining the ranks of the “woke” whether or not they realize it.
gravenimage says
I am not much of a singer–I sadly have no talent for it–so I have to “stumble” my way through the national anthem, as well. This is very different from *refusing* to sing it because you hate the nation it commorates.
And the idea that the appalling Sen. Ernie Chambers who hates America is “what democracy is all about” is something I would question. He has said that the police “are ISIS”. This is appalling anti-Americanism. Of course he is allowed to say these things–rightly. But people who vote for him are fools or worse, and good people have the right to say this as well.
Infidel says
Couldn’t she have simply refused by claiming that music, and thereby singing, is haram in islam?
gravenimage says
Israel: Muslim Arab MK refuses to sing Israeli national anthem
……………….
So many Muslims in Israel actually hate Israel and want to see her destroyed.
Maemae77 says
I hope that some day willfully ignorant Americans will see these Supremacist bigots for who they truly are. Sadly, most Americans are to distracted and fooled by their hate crime hoaxes.