Retired General Prefers Arabs to Minister Smotrich, Citing Shared Humanity
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Retired Major General Gil Regev told journalist Guy Peleg that he feels closer to Arabs he worked with in Rafah and Judea and Samaria than to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Regev stated that shared humanity and life experiences, like eating hummus together, create more common ground than just being Jewish. He made these comments during a discussion about the potential for civil war in Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Retired Major General Gil Regev feels closer to Arabs than to Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
- Regev cited shared life experiences like eating hummus as a stronger connection than Jewish identity.
- He stated, "I had more in common with them than I will ever have with Smotrich."
- Regev's comments were made during a discussion about potential civil war in Israel.
- He worked with Arabs in Rafah and employed them in Judea and Samaria.
Retired Major General Gil Regev stated in a conversation with journalist Guy Peleg that he feels a greater connection to Arab individuals he worked with in the past in Rafah and Judea and Samaria than to current Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Regev dismissed the notion of shared Jewish identity as a meaningful basis for connection, asserting, "I happen to be Jewish. My mother was Jewish." He argued that belonging to the Jewish people does not inherently signify shared values between individuals.
Regev elaborated on his perspective by recounting his experiences as a civilian working in prefabricated buildings. He described building a structure on the city hall roof in Rafah and employing Arab laborers in Judea and Samaria. According to Regev, this shared work allowed him to connect with people beyond their national identities.
He recalled moments of shared meals and conversations about life with these individuals, stating, "We would dip hummus, eat olives." Regev contrasted this with his relationship with Smotrich, saying, "I had more in common with them than I will ever have with Smotrich. I won't have this interface with him, that we're at the same plate, Guy. Pita touched pita, yes?"
These remarks were made in the context of a discussion about the possibility of civil war in Israel. When asked if he supported such a scenario, Regev clarified, "I don't support it, I'm talking to you about things that could happen here."
