Helen Bar-Lev, living in Jerusalem, posted this
poem in the Jerusalem Post, in response to Caroline Glick’s latest column
on “The
Paris Fall:”
O sweet peace loving French
moralistic to the core of your essence
how you love to preach to us
for our infamous intolerance of terrorism
for our suspicion of our cousin nations
their innocent outbursts
justified in violence
victims of cruel circumstance
You have become a bit obnoxious
in your self-righteousness
assuring us of their noble intentions
providing the best of medical attention
to the emissary of the devil
who was the cause of it all
And so in exchange for your hospitality
and with a flourish of Middle Eastern gratitude
your cities today are enflamed
World War II enemy plans at long last fulfilled
"Is Paris Burning" is no longer a question
no longer lives in the imagination of a terrible enemy
is now an historical novel begging to be rewritten
You, historical defender of liberty, brotherhood and equality
of all the world’s multitudes except the Jews
(of course if we take a longer look
these three graces do not seem to have lived up
to certain demanded international standards)
even though you grimace in disgust
every time we defend our existence
Is it possible that you might now take a clue
from the rioters’ countries of origin
who would, under similar circumstances
without introspection or time-consuming hesitation
without the inconvenience of missing a dinner
with suave savoir-faire
by a few unfortunate heads staked in the square
restore order in a few ordinary moments
So now all eyes on you France the tolerant
whatever you choose to do
however long it takes you to continue to brew in your flaming stew
debating proper solutions over fresh baguettes wonderful wine and camembert
cheese
Please next time we stop a supposed-innocent at a roadblock
or a department store or a market
do attempt to be nonjudgmental
try to avert your criticizing eyes
divert them inward
where they have more important matters
to attend
Tony Blankley says we’re all in this together. (Hat tip: Yael). Ed Lasky compares the French media’s differing treatment of the two intifadas.