Ever since the latest terror attack, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the Egyptian demand for Israel to apologize for shooting five of its soldiers during the chase after the terrorists.
Israel probably could apologize, yes. As usual, it was trigger happy.
But hey – how about some reciprocity? Wouldn’t it be nice if Egypt apologized for the lack security in Sinai since the fall of Mubarak? For the inaction on its part which is most probably the reason terrorists are taking over the peninsula?
And what’s the deal with all this sudden need for apologies? First Turkey, now Egypt? Since when did all these respectful nations turn into such wusses?
Yoel Marcus of Haaretz got it right in his latest op-ed:
“What’s this business about asking forgiveness that has invaded regional relations? Turkey is presenting an ultimatum: Either ask forgiveness or we’ll be angry forever. Egypt is demanding that we ask forgiveness because five Egyptian police were killed by our fire. I don’t recall that Egypt asked forgiveness from Israel for the October war. I don’t recall that we demanded that they ask forgiveness for the fedayeen they sent from the Gaza Strip to carry out acts of slaughter in the heart of Israel. I don’t recall that the Egyptians apologized for the tearing down of the Israeli flag from the embassy building in Cairo. Asking forgiveness contains an element of weakness on one side and arrogance on the other. After the 1967 war our leaders used to boast: “Excuse us for winning.”
…This writer is in favor of reconciliation with Turkey. Maybe we overdid it with the attack on the Mavi Marmara. But sending a ship with thugs to breach the closure of Gaza was in itself an act of piracy. It’s inconceivable that we could do such a thing to Turkey. There are incidents that happen because of misunderstandings. And we handle those things like grown-ups. Getting on our knees to beg forgiveness? Only when Turkey begs forgiveness for the slaughter of the Armenians.”
The only thing where Marcus got it wrong is by using the word “maybe” when it comes to the force Israel used against the Marmara, and the lack of intelligence shown by not knowing of all those thugs present on the boat. Yeah, Israel used way too much force. And yeah, they were thugs. Sorry guys, you ain’t going to hear about the “poor peace activists” from me.
Which brings me to my solution for the apology issue: “shit bow diplomacy”. The Turkish, Egyptian and Israeli ambassadors should just “shit bow” to each other and get it over with.
A “shit bow”, as Larry David finds out, is a dismissive bow. A bow where people don’t really show respect, but just try to get rid of you.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85e4THVEb_o&feature=related [/youtube]
I mean, let’s face it – none of these countries really like each other. So, why put up with the charade? Let’s keep it real. Just give each other a quick bow, turn around, and continue hating each other.
Enough with all this apology crap.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUubgv3_ps0[/youtube]