Latma Satire TV has an exclusive interview with US President Obama (subtitled in English)
March 23, 2010 By The Associated Press Shana Habbab (AP White House Correspondent)
(AP) — An unidentified Israeli official has confirmed that private discussions between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu included a strong request from the President that the upcoming Passover holiday not include the familiar refrain of “next year in Jerusalem”, citing the passage as provocative and unhelpful for future peace talks.
The Administration suggested replacing it with “next year in peace” or “next year in Israel”, but leaving the final wording up to both the Israelis and Palestinians.
Netanyahu is said to have balked at the request, indicating that the refrain dates back well before the UN Partition of 1947.
The Prime Minister reportedly attempted to diffuse the situation by noting that the declaration lacks any political significance, adding that most people living outside of Israel just “say the words without having a real desire to live anywhere in Jerusalem.” (And Israel's Chief Rabbi Metzger agreed).
He further explained that, “at most, they would like to come for the Passover holiday, but only staying at one of the hotels located in western part of the city.”
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9 comments:
a strong request from the President that the upcoming Passover holiday not include the familiar refrain of “next year in Jerusalem”, citing the passage as provocative and unhelpful for future peace talks.
Le shana ha zeh b'Yerushalayim. There. That's better.
Oh posh. From outside Israel our hearts are in Jerusalem, this year, next year and forever. Do not change our words for us; do not infringe upon our traditions and rituals; do not attempt to change our hearts!
Very funny ;-]
Throw that bumbler out with the rest of the chometz!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/us/politics/28seder.html?hp
In the Old Family Dining Room, under sparkling chandeliers and portraits of former first ladies, the mostly Jewish and African-American guests will recite prayers and retell the biblical story of slavery and liberation, ending with the traditional declaration “Next year in Jerusalem.” (Never mind the current chill in the administration’s relationship with Israel.)
Chai18: How ironic. Next year in Jerusalem, while doing everything possible to ensure that never happens...(at least, for the Jewish people)
Chai18:
I'm impressed that the NYT noticed and pointed out that particular biting bit of irony.
Here's another quote from the same article:
At the Seder’s close, the group opened a door and sang to the prophet Elijah.
Actually, that is most appropriate. All that's necessary to make that particular prayer suitable for Obama is to alter the pronouns and tenses appropriately:
Shefokh hamatkha:
Pour out Your fury on us, the nations that do not acknowledge You, and on the governments that do not call upon Your Name. For we are devouring Yaakov and laying waste to his homeland. Pour out Your wrath on us, and let Your fierce anger overtake us. Pursue us with anger, and destroy us from beneath the heavens of the Lord.
And the same, of course, for other parts of the haggada. E.g.:
V'hi she'amda:
This [God's promise to Avraham] is what has stood by the Jews' and their ancestors. For not only I alone have risen up against them to destroy them, but in every generation we rise up against them to destroy them; but the Holy One, Blessed be He, saves them from our hand. [Damn!]
The actual text is "Le'shana haba'a beyrushalayim HABNUYAH." Obama would really get upset if he knew what that was all about.
I second "anonymous"'s comment about the actual text (which will hopefully spread to Chutz L'Aretz).
Unlike Obama, I think that the text לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בִּירוּשַָׁלָיִם הַבְּנוּיָה is very CONSTRUCTIVE.
Actually: The term, לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בִּירוּשַָׁלָיִם הַבְּנוּיָה doesn't mean "Next Year" as mistakenly translated in many places.
It means "The coming year in a rebuilt Jerusalem," which starts now.
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