We have no idea how they got hold of this video. This is one of the genuinely iconic moments in Israeli history, an image that perfectly captures Israelis’ refusal to stop enjoying life in the face of genocidal Arab intentions. The scene is the Jerusalem Theater on Sat, Feb. 23, 1991 – the eve of Operation Desert Storm. The Arab state of Iraq has invaded and occupied the Arab state of Kuwait. A coalition of historically Christian and Muslim countries has issued an ultimatum to Iraq – set to expire within minutes – to withdraw. So naturally, everyone expects Iraq to start launching missiles, potentially tipped with chemical or biological warheads, at the Jewish State of Israeli. This was treated as something perfectly natural in the course of international relations. Israel was asked not to respond, lest the Arab states do something crazy (like attack Israel or each other without provocation – you know, something totally unprecedented).
Isaac Stern flies into Israel to show solidarity. He’s performing a concert with the Israeli Philharmonic. Zubin Metha is conducting. In the middle of the concert the air raid sirens start wailin. The orchestra leaves in a rehearsed manner to get protective gear (yeah, artists have to rehearse that stuff in Israel), while the audience puts on gas masks. Stern refuses to leave the stage, and this happens:
It can’t be emphasized enough: despite consistent insistence to the contrary by diplomats and journalists, Israelis really are vibrant and happy.
References:
* Isaac Stern vs. Saddam Hussein [AbrahamBenYehuda / YouTube]
* Newsflash: Israelis Are Happy [MR]
Previously:
* Reuters Has No Idea What’s Going on in Israel
* Subliminal and The Shadow: Tikva About Terrorism [Video]
* New Palestinian Music Video Is Not Particularly Nice To Jews [Video]
