Israel is really very sorry

Soon after the 1967 "Six-Day War", the self-serving hypocrite and alleged "peace-lover" Amos Oz published a propaganda work based on interviews with Israeli soldiers. Issued in Israel with the title Siah Lohamim (Fighters Talk), it was translated into English as The Seventh Day. This kitsch work (in which, it later transpired, Oz significantly rewrote the testimonies he was given, in order to cover up war crimes and prove his thesis) purported to show the moral dilemmas of the decent liberal Israeli soldiers, allegedly forced -- against their humanitarian nature -- to fight against bloodthirsty and immoral enemies. The book gave rise to the scornful description of Israeli forces as "Shooting and Crying", and has been a major factor in enabling liberal Israelis to distance themselves from the real effects on the victims of their actions.

To this description, suggest radio humourists Shai Goldstein and Dror Rafael, there should now be added the concept of "Bombing and Apologising". In a bitter comment in Israel's leading daily Ma'ariv, they ask "Why aren’t they forgiving us?"

We are sorry about the killing of women, children and all innocent civilians. The government of Israel really apologizes from the depth of its heart. We did not intend it. We never intend it. Also on the previous occasion that it happened we did not intend it. Also on the occasion before the previous occasion. And also the next time that we will do it, you can be sure that it will be done completely unintentionally. We will not intend it, and we will apologize. From the depth of our hearts.
The apologizing we do intentionally, completely intentionally.
So, we really apologize. We hope you will find in your heart the nobility to forgive us. Do you forgive us?
No?
Why not? Really, why not? We really really apologize. We apologize for the killing of the children. And of the women. And for the dozens of wounded in the hospitals. And for those who will be left without arms or legs. And for the children left without parents and for the parents left without children. We apologize for all these things, from the depth of our hearts. Sorry, really sorry. What more do you want?
Do you forgive?
Oh, how difficult you are.
Sorry! Sorry! Well, we will not go on apologizing forever. Just forgive us, and that`s it. Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry.
Is this enough? Can we continue on our way?
Still not forgiving?
Well, you know what? So, you don`t want to forgive us - okay, we don`t really need it. We have done our part. We did the killing, we did the apology. Now the ball is in your court. You are stubborn. You don`t know how to forgive. You have no compassion, somebody makes a mistake and you just pounce and take advantage of it. And to publish these photos all over the world, to let everybody see out mistake? Is this nice, to shame us like this? And we did apologize, we did apologize. We were O.K.
Know what? Our conscience is clear. We have apologized. As far as we are concerned, the case is closed. Do you want to go on being stuck on the same point? That`s your problem. We are moving on.
The next artillery shell is already on its way, followed by the next apology. And then one more shell and one more apology. That`s the way we are. Moral and considerate, killing and apologizing. Thanks, sorry for the killing and see you next time.

(Thanks to Occupation Magazine and Adam Keller for the translation).