Israel Matzav

The master of understatement: Israel's connection to Ariel no weaker than England's connection to the Falklands

Shavua tov, a good week to everyone.

This is the first I heard of it, but current Education Minister Gidon Saar wants to be Foreign Minister in the next government. (Who says you need special qualifications for any ministry in this country?)

He started on the trail on Saturday by blasting the UK for a statement on Thursday expressing 'deep disappointment' with the upgrade of Ariel University to university status.That's fine but the way Saar went about it was a little odd. Saar said that Israel's attachment to Ariel is at least as strong as Britain's attachment to the Falkland Islands (which are off the coast of Argentina).

Speaking at a political event in Nes Tsiona on Saturday,  Sa'ar responded that the real obstacle to peace is "incitement in the Palestinian educational system" and not the upgrade to the Ariel University Center.

"Ariel has always been an integral part of the State of Israel. Our connection to Ariel is no less than England's connection to the Falkland Islands," Sa'ar stated.

Ariel is a little closer to Jerusalem than the Falklands are to London. Maybe he could have said Manchester or Liverpool (which are also further away than Ariel)? Or does Saar have family in Argentina?

The good news is that if Saar is no longer Education Minister, maybe they will get rid of his edict that requires most elementary school children to wear uniform shirts to school. My sons would be thrilled if they became optional. 

Labels: Ariel University, Britain, Falkland Islands, Gidon Saar

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:37 PM