Category: English

Too much coverage

The kidnapped Israeli soldiers are being buried today, after the swap yesterday. The kidnapping, two years ago, sparkled the war. Bringing their bodies back home is a closure for that war and is a major news event. Still, the media is dwelling with the corpses and the funerals way too much.

Everybody knew that they are dead. The evidence showed that. PM Olmert said that he wouldn’t bargain for coffins, way back in 2006. The government began a process of declaring them as dead, as a tactic in the negotiations with Hizballah. Hizballah played a cruel game and never said a word about their situation.

Despite being aware of the imminent results, the media expressed some hope in the days before the swap. After the swap, there’s an obsessive coverage of every small detail around the funeral. Too much information about the look in Barak’s eyes or the speeches of grieved family members.

Headlines of Internet sites, which switch between items very frequently in Israel, are switching between funeral details. TV, which I don’t watch, is showing these issues all the time.

I would prefer a more humble and dignified approach in memory of the soldiers, and in memory of all the other victims of that war.

Vote for my picture on JPG Magazine

Last October I’ve posted a short post featuring a homeless man sleeping on a bench beside a shiny globe. The globe was part of an exhibition that celebrated globalization in the heart of Tel Aviv.
Here’s a reminder:

Globalization

Anyway, I’ve submitted it to the JPG Magazine site. It’s up for votes in the Democracy theme. If it wins, it will be published on print, and I’ll be famous.

Well, I won’t be famous, but I’ll be happy if it wins, and I’ll be very happy to get your “Yeah” votes for it.

So, just click here and click on “Yeah”. You’ll be asked to register (not for lazy people!).

Thanks!

Tel Aviv Sunsets

June features the longest days of the year, and nice urban sunsets:

שקיעה בתל אביב

Some were taken from the beach and some from the office (Shalom tower) :

שקיעה בחסן בק

Here’s a picture that caught glasses of wine by mistake:

תל אביב - שקיעה

And there are more pictures of Tel Aviv Sunsets.

The smog is quite light during this month. During July, August and September, the sun disappears in a high place in the sky, and beautiful sunsets can only be seen out of town…

And One more gig in Israel. Please!

The German band And One performed a great show in Tel Aviv. I had little expectations from an electronic band from the 80s, but their style and their engagement with the the audience was wonderful, and I’m truly waiting for their next promised visit in 2009.

And One in Israel
Picture credit: Jasmine.

The 80s were a dark period in music. The “dark 80s” style is even darker! It always amazes me that 80s song are still written nowadays. Morrissey, which will perform in Israel this summer, is one of the only great artists that emerged from the 80s.

But last Friday, Jasmine took me to And One’s concert in the Barby club. Three hours late of schedule (which is late also for a middle eastern country), they guys were on stage, and I enjoyed every minute, despite the lack of guitars on stage.

The only musical instruments that were used were two synthesizers, played by Chris Ruiz and Gio van Oli. They were responsible for all the sound. For someone who plays the guitar occasionally, and likes the sound of live music, this was weird, but that’s part of the genre, and they sure know how to make the people dance.

You can see here their hit “Sometimes”:


And One – Sometimes in TA, Israel – Funny bloopers are a click away

Steve Naghavi, the lead singer, sure has style. Dressed in a 3-part suit, and running all over the stage, he gave a great performance. I knew only a small portion of their repertoire, but enjoyed the act very much.

Apart from the band’s hits, they made cover versions of Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, The Cure and a few more hits (from the 80s, naturally). Most of the songs were in English, whilst some were in German. The singer made his homework, and spoke various words in Hebrew with the enthusiastic crowd. He also promised to come back next year…

Show coverage on Blond Mobile.
More Pictures.
Opening act: Beyond Cause.
Band Website

Walking by the Moon

Before the Golan Heights are handed over to Syria, I joined a group in nightly trek. We descended from Mitzpe Ophir, on the Golan to Ein Gev, on the waters of the Sea of Galilee.

It’s the first time that I made a night trek, starting at about 1:00 AM and ending with the first light, just before 5:00 AM. Seeing the slopes in the moonlight, the lights of Tiberius (on the other side) and the dark lake was wonderful.

Taking pictures in the dark was quite a challenge, but I got my lucky one:

This picture was taken after one of the steeper descends on the way, while waiting for the slower people in the group to come along 🙂

Picture of the Stars from Israel

15 seconds of exposure, and I didn’t see exactly what I was aiming for… Well, the stars were captured!

Anyway, thanks to the organizers, Yuval and Hagit for the great trip.