The Book of Disappearance

by Ibtisam Azem

  The paper devoted a full page with a big photograph of the attractive soldier, who was to be the first in a series featuring interviews with soldiers who were serving in the IDF when what media outlets describes as “The Disappearance Event” took place:

  HAARETZ: “Where were you when you learned of the disappearance of the Palestinians?”

  GALIT: “I was on a night shift at Qalandya checkpoint. Samir, a Druze from Daliyat al-Karmil, was with us that night. He was in charge of searching the cars coming through. I don’t remember what time it was, but he said he was going to the toilet and would return soon. I took his position. There wasn’t a lot of traffic late at night. So I didn’t pay attention to his absence at first. But when he was gone for half an hour, I was worried. I went looking for him and was shocked when I saw his weapon thrown next to the toilet. I informed the CO right away and tried to secure the area. I thought he had been kidnapped.

  “Additional troops were sent. Then we realized that others had disappeared too. Imagine, I was worried about him as a colleague, and was thinking of various possible scenarios about Arabs kidnapping and torturing him. And after all that worrying I discovered that he had just run away and left his weapon so irresponsibly. I don’t understand why the Druze would run away with the Arabs?”

  HAARETZ: “Were there no signs at all that Samir was about to run away and disappear?”

  GALIT: “I didn’t sense anything. He liked and enjoyed serving in the army. Frankly, Arabs are violent and although he was Druze, he was like them. I don’t know where all this violence comes from? Frankly, and in my experience, I find that many of the minorities who serve with us enjoy searching Palestinians. And now they betray us and run away. How can we trust them after today? We break our backs and try to make things easier for Palestinians crossing the border, who are stubborn and cause all kinds of problems and chaos. Some even smell awful and their cars are dirty. Samir knew how to deal with them, and when he yelled at them in Arabic, they would be quiet. They stand there quietly. I think that’s the only language they understand. Yelling. We try to say ‘please,’ and we often forget, but not intentionally. Anyway, we try to treat them humanely, but they make things difficult. We tell them a thousand times a day that they have to wait in line, but they crowd. When I watch them standing at the checkpoint I feel the desire for killing and revenge in their eyes. You can see the hostility in their eyes.”

  HAARETZ: “How do you feel now? Having trusted someone like Samir and trained with him and then you discover he is someone else?”

  GALIT: “I couldn’t sleep at first, especially when it became clear that the Arabs had disappeared, and we didn’t know who was responsible for kidnapping them or what exactly had happened. First I blamed us. You know we are highly self-critical and even masochists. Sometimes we blame ourselves for things we are not guilty of. But that’s normal, because we are victims and have been hunted for hundreds, even thousands of years. But we were able to protect ourselves despite everything that we went through. The question that puzzles me is: Why do Palestinian mothers send their children to throw stones and carry out terrorist attacks against us? I never understood why they insisted on coming to the checkpoints every day to fight us? Maybe they have some sadism because their society is primitive and violent. I don’t know, but from my experience as a soldier, I feel they like to either be beaten and tortured, or to hit and insult others. Otherwise, I have no explanation for their insistence on all this violence. Maybe it’s in their history and identity, or from their families and the environment they grow up in. Whatever it is, I just hope they leave us alone so we can continue to build our country, and so that peace reigns in the world, and in the new middle east. We will be able to help a lot of Arab countries with our knowledge and the technology we have. Israeli ‘know-how’ and Arab capital. If we unite with the Arabs, a lot of good will come out, and we can teach them a great deal.”

  Ariel read the interview carefully and underlined some of the sentences he might use in his next article. Dan Rubenstein’s article surprised him. The veteran communist had been relatively sidelined because many find him to be an extremist leftist.

  AND THE WINNER IS: ISRAEL!

  Dan Rubenstein

  Were there prizes given out to the most modern and most racist state, that calls itself “democratic,” this country would have won first place. Is this the Zionist dream you wanted? I write “you,” because, as everyone knows, I have divorced Zionism and no longer believe in it.

  We have over indulged ourselves in pain as victims, and have forgotten that we are human and that Europe is not the middle east. What happened to the reasonable ones in you, my country? Were they killed, or they, too, have left you with the Palestinians? Can we ever rid ourselves of the victim complex? We are no longer victims. We must say that out loud. We have become normal humans in a state.

  Where to start from? Since we established this state we have been digging our graves with our own hands. Are we implementing the settlers’ agenda and fulfilling their dreams? They are the state’s first enemies. How can a state with this number of surveillance camera everywhere not know where more than four million Palestinians have gone?

  We are responsible for anything that happens to them. They, both citizens and those living the occupied territories, were under the protection of the state. The United Nations charter and International Law stipulate the responsibility of occupying powers to protect unarmed civilians.

  I have warned time and again against racist and discriminatory policies and the danger of not recognizing the historic mistakes that were committed by organizations when the state was founded, and by the successive governments. But no one listened to me personally, or listened to other voices. On the contrary, an unrelenting war was waged against us. And it wasn’t limited to name-calling. I was personally threatened, attacked, and beaten after giving lectures. All this took place before the eyes of the police who are supposed to provide protection.

  Just a few hours after the first official announcement about the disappearance of the Arabs, I received a call from the police. They wanted to interrogate me. Why? Because I am a “friend” of the Palestinians. The security forces don’t know where they have gone? Is that conceivable? Who will believe that? Is this the first step in putting the Left, which is almost extinct in this country, on trial? Are we now responsible for what might be the “cleanest” campaign of ethnic cleansing witnessed by humanity?

  I can no longer bear what is happening in this country. It is no longer possible to live in a country where the desire to eliminate the other has reached the level of genocide. It is no longer possible to believe in tolerance, or dialogue, because there is no one left to have a dialogue with.

  We are still not sure yet. However, if it is proven that the government is responsible for this operation, this means we have carried out a suicide mission to finish ourselves, first and foremost. It is no longer important henceforth who is responsible for the disappearance of the Palestinians. Whether they left “out of their own volition” as some officials try to hint, or whether we have been able to eliminate them in a way no else has been able to do before, what we must do now is . . .

  Ariel stopped reading and put the newspaper away once he heard on the radio that Prime Minister Titi’s speech has started. He turned on the TV and turned down the radio.

  42

  Ariel

  The prime minister was delivering his speech before a group of Knesset members and some officers who had attended this extraordinary session. He and they appeared self-composed.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, sons and daughters of this generous people, I address you from the podium of freedom in the only true democracy in the entire region. Despite what neighboring countries have witnessed, their elections and parliaments cannot compare to, or compete with, the history of this deep-rooted parliament and its young democracy. Our country is going through a difficult period that is even more dangerous than that during which we declared our i
ndependence in 1948. This exceptional situation calls for exceptional measures and for unity among all forces, from the left to the right. There is no right and left after today. No secular and religious. We are all one hand.

  “Our country is being subjected to a campaign that no other country has witnessed in the past. It is the first of its kind. If the disappearance of the Palestinians indicates anything, then it is that a heinous conspiracy is being hatched against us. When the founding fathers established our state, they enacted laws and carried out measures. Time has proven their foresight and significance. Today we have issued orders and are about to enact laws that will protect us. In this state of extreme emergency, we have declared that we have to move in an unusually swift manner to deal with this exceptional circumstance we are going through.

  “All citizens must register with the state’s census offices. I, personally, was one of the first to do so. These steps are necessary to ascertain the identity of all those present in the country. Those residing abroad, or currently travelling, should register at our embassies wherever they happen to be as soon as possible. In the next few hours we will count and register everyone. Anyone whose name doesn’t appear, or who doesn’t return within forty-eight hours of the first cases of disappearance by Arabs, meaning by 3 a.m. tomorrow, will not be allowed to return. Their property shall be transferred to the state.

  “We will not tolerate or accept any returnees. Whoever is not in the country by 3 a.m. will lose his or her right to be in this place and any access to it.

  “They have disappeared out of their own volition. We did not expel anyone and no one can prove otherwise. I held a long meeting today with the minister of security and leaders of the army, police, and intelligence. Footage from surveillance cameras in public places has not revealed any unusual movement. It is truly perplexing and that is why we declared a state of maximum emergency in order to protect the country from any conspiracy. After consulting with our allies, we have taken several measures. Some of which we have declared and others will be in due course.

  “We would like to know where they have gone, but, at the end of the day, it is their decision. We have not forced anyone to leave. Irrespective of the reason for which they chose to leave, they did so as others have and went back to their countries.

  “Today we must be vigilant and stop pointing fingers at each other. Some on the left think that our government is responsible for the disappearance of the Palestinians. Such naïveté can be destructive and it only helps our enemies. We must be careful. We are in communication with our neighbors to reach an agreement on settling the Arabs who left Israel in 1948 and who call themselves Palestinians. This is up to them, but we must protect our borders. We will not allow an ant to cross them without our permission.

  “Fellow citizens, may God help us in this crisis. Let us stand together as one and may there be peace in Israel and the world at large. . . . Amen.”

  Ariel had misgivings as he listened to the speech. It was as if the entire country stood before a traffic light waiting for the green sign to go. To go toward the unknown, which seems better. The phone rang. It was his mother.

  “Boker Tov, Ariel.”

  “Boker Tov. I was thinking of calling you. How was your night?”

  “I feel somewhat better after hearing Titi’s speech. Let’s see what is going to happen. Why didn’t you come to see me yesterday as you promised?”

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve called. But I was crushed by work and needed time to think and read. I’ll pass by tonight for sure.”

  “No need to. I’m going to Haifa. They say one can go to Wadi al-Nisnas and see the Arab houses there, and even buy one very cheap.”

  “Who said that?”

  “Judith called from Haifa and she knows an influential guy in the army. He said they’ll announce it. Do you remember the houses on Abbas Street? They are lovely and they overlook the sea. Maybe we can get one there.”

  “I don’t think it’s true. We still don’t know what’s going on. I think it’s best if you stay here in Tel Aviv, near me. I’ll come and sleep over tonight or tomorrow. Or you can come to my apartment and sleep there. I’m sleeping in Alaa’s now.”

  “I don’t want to stay in Tel Aviv. I want to go somewhere that’s more quiet. And if the news is true, I want us to choose a house there. I had been eyeing a house on Abbas Street. You know that I love the weather in Haifa much more than Tel Aviv. It’s beautiful and quiet. Why are you sleeping in Alaa’s apartment anyway?”

  “You are stubborn, mother, and it’s difficult to argue once you’ve made up your mind. Have a good time then and give me a call once you get there.”

  “Nishmaa.”

  “Nishmaa.”

  He heard noise coming from outside so he headed to the window. He couldn’t see much from his balcony. He went back to the room and got his keys, phone, and wallet, and went out to the street.

  43

  Rothschild Boulevard

  Preparations were underway for the biggest festival in the young country’s history in the White City. Yesterday is far behind, and today will pass quickly. In modern states people chase the future. The victors never look back. They only look forward. Forward march! Like tank tracks, their steps march to their target even if the path is circular, or zigzag. They march to their target and prepare the path for the future.

  Municipal workers in the city and elsewhere in the country were removing the signs that had street and city names written in Arabic. Everything will be in Hebrew tonight. Together with English, which is acceptable.

  In the middle of the expansive and verdant Rothschild Boulevard, workers were extending electric cords, punctuated by colorful lights, and adorned with blue and white flags. Other groups were erecting platforms on Rothschild and in other streets and squares in the city. Decorations were being hung on trees. Children ran around joyously because the following day was going to be a public holiday.

  Music billowed from the cars roaming the city as if expelling the remaining silence from its streets.

  44

  Ariel

  Tel Aviv—Ariel Levy

  After being halted for more than forty hours, it was just announced that air traffic will resume gradually as of four o’clock tomorrow morning. This indicates that, while still in a state of maximum emergency, security officials now feel that the danger is limited, and can be brought under control. Tomorrow will be a public holiday for schools and state institutions, but shops are expected to be open.

  I can hear the music outside my apartment. I returned just a while ago after walking around Tel Aviv to see what is going on firsthand. Municipality workers are hanging decorations. But some are warning about the assaults taking place against those thought to be Arabs. It seems they turned out to be Mizrahi. The chief of police tried to calm everyone to make sure panic and mutual suspicion don’t spread. What has bothered some is the settlers leaving the vast land in the territories and coming with the intent to take control of cities and villages inside what used to be the Green Line.

  The government has yet to offer any suggestions or solutions as to what is to become of the houses in these areas. In a few hours it will have been forty hours since the disappearance. If they don’t return in these remaining hours, they will no longer have the right to return to the country according to the law of the “disappeared” which was ratified rather swiftly today.

  In just a few hours the country has moved from one era to another. Some speculate that what has taken place is merely the magician’s tricks backfiring against him, as the proverb says. Initial signs indicate that the Palestinians themselves, or some of their leaders, planned this thing. Everyone succumbed and it seems many were forced to. The coming days and months will reveal what we still don’t know for sure.

  At 1 p.m., Fuad Namir, the minister of defense, ended a press conference attended by representatives of several ministries as well as security chiefs. He assured citizens and our neighbors that the government is in co
ntrol of the situation. He stressed the government’s desire to strengthen relations with its neighbors, especially since there are no longer any obstacles. While it is still not clear what will happen to Palestinians in these neighboring states, “We view that as an internal matter. We will not interfere, but will help in resettling them if needed.” He added that neighboring countries are aware of our military capacity, as well as that of our allies who stand with us. Some neighboring countries have declared a state of emergency in anticipation of any trouble. The United States and EU countries have bolstered security measures in their airports.

  Responding to a question about the situation at the borders, the defense minister confirmed that there was no unusual military movement except for a few attempts to infiltrate from neighboring countries by individuals thought to be of Palestinian origins. “We are searching for them, but have not found any traces inside the country. It seems that they disappear as soon as they infiltrate the border.”

  I spoke to some Israelis in Tel Aviv. Danny, who owns a kiosk that sells newspapers and coffee on Dezingoff Street, said, “I am very disappointed by this treason. It looks like the Palestinians decided to disappear, or were planning something and couldn’t do it. I had a lot of Arab friends. I used to eat hummus and falafel in Jaffa, and even smoke shisha sometimes. I don’t understand why they did this to us? They plan an operation that fails and then leave us by ourselves. I used to think that we could at least trust Israeli Arabs, but things are clear now.”