Conversations
A conversation between European and Israeli diplomats overheard by Shalzed:
European: What your government did to those flotilla activists was totally unacceptable.
Israeli: You’re right. It should never have happened.
European: Israel should pay compensation.
Israeli: How does Europe treat migrants trying to enter illegally by boat?
European: Huh?
Israeli: Don’t many of them drown in the Mediterranean while European governments criminalize rescue efforts?
European: That’s completely different.
Israeli: Oh. Okay.
Snippets
Why so few?
“There are at least a few hundred of us.”
“Yeah, but thousands just came on Jerusalem day to chant ‘death to Arabs’.”
“It’s easier to get people to turn out when you’re against something.”
“Well, we’re against hate. We’re against war. Shouldn’t that matter?”
– Overheard at an interfaith ‘human rights and peace’ march in Jerusalem
Stories
Should War be an Investment?
Shalzed noticed a paper on my desk. “What’s that?” he asked.
“It’s the fact sheet for an investment a friend of mine recommended.”
Shalzed picked up the paper. “A fund for drones and modern warfare?” he asked.
I shrugged. “With the wars going on, defense spending is sure to go up,” I told him. “And now every military needs drones.”
Shalzed looked aghast. “You want to make money by investing in companies that build robots that kill people?” he asked.
