Retired General Prefers Arabs to Smotrich, Citing Shared Humanity
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Retired Major General Gil Regev told journalist Guy Peleg that he feels more common ground with Arabs he worked with in Rafah and Judea and Samaria than with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Regev dismissed Jewish identity as a basis for connection, emphasizing shared human experiences over national affiliation. He described past interactions with Arabs involving shared meals and conversations about life, contrasting this with his perceived lack of connection to Smotrich. The comments were made 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 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
- Regev dismissed Jewish identity as a basis for connection, calling it "nonsense."
- He recalled shared meals and conversations about life with Arabs in Rafah and Judea and Samaria.
- Regev stated he had more in common with Arabs than he ever will with Smotrich.
- The remarks were made during a discussion about the possibility of civil war in Israel.
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 Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Regev dismissed Jewish identity as a meaningful basis for connection, questioning what it signifies beyond a biological fact. He recounted past interactions with Arabs, describing shared meals and conversations about life, emphasizing a human connection that transcended national identity.
Regev explained that during his civilian work in prefabricated buildings, he built structures in Rafah and employed Arab workers in Judea and Samaria. These experiences, he said, allowed him to understand people beyond their national affiliations. He recalled moments of shared meals, stating, "We would dip hummus, eat olives." He contrasted these experiences with his relationship with Smotrich, asserting, "I and they had more in common than I will ever have with Smotrich."
The retired general's remarks were made in the context of a discussion about the possibility of civil war in Israel. Regev clarified that he does not support such a scenario but is speaking about potential occurrences.
