42

Ariel

The prime minister was delivering his speech before a group of Knesset members and some officers who had attended this extraordinary session. He and they appeared self-composed.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, sons and daughters of this generous people, I address you from the podium of freedom in the only true democracy in the entire region. Despite what neighboring countries have witnessed, their elections and parliaments cannot compare to, or compete with, the history of this deep-rooted parliament and its young democracy. Our country is going through a difficult period that is even more dangerous than that during which we declared our independence in 1948. This exceptional situation calls for exceptional measures and for unity among all forces, from the left to the right. There is no right and left after today. No secular and religious. We are all one hand.

“Our country is being subjected to a campaign that no other country has witnessed in the past. It is the first of its kind. If the disappearance of the Palestinians indicates anything, then it is that a heinous conspiracy is being hatched against us. When the founding fathers established our state, they enacted laws and carried out measures. Time has proven their foresight and significance. Today we have issued orders and are about to enact laws that will protect us. In this state of extreme emergency, we have declared that we have to move in an unusually swift manner to deal with this exceptional circumstance we are going through.

“All citizens must register with the state’s census offices. I, personally, was one of the first to do so. These steps are necessary to ascertain the identity of all those present in the country. Those residing abroad, or currently travelling, should register at our embassies wherever they happen to be as soon as possible. In the next few hours we will count and register everyone. Anyone whose name doesn’t appear, or who doesn’t return within forty-eight hours of the first cases of disappearance by Arabs, meaning by 3 a.m. tomorrow, will not be allowed to return. Their property shall be transferred to the state.

“We will not tolerate or accept any returnees. Whoever is not in the country by 3 a.m. will lose his or her right to be in this place and any access to it.

“They have disappeared out of their own volition. We did not expel anyone and no one can prove otherwise. I held a long meeting today with the minister of security and leaders of the army, police, and intelligence. Footage from surveillance cameras in public places has not revealed any unusual movement. It is truly perplexing and that is why we declared a state of maximum emergency in order to protect the country from any conspiracy. After consulting with our allies, we have taken several measures. Some of which we have declared and others will be in due course.

“We would like to know where they have gone, but, at the end of the day, it is their decision. We have not forced anyone to leave. Irrespective of the reason for which they chose to leave, they did so as others have and went back to their countries.

“Today we must be vigilant and stop pointing fingers at each other. Some on the left think that our government is responsible for the disappearance of the Palestinians. Such naïveté can be destructive and it only helps our enemies. We must be careful. We are in communication with our neighbors to reach an agreement on settling the Arabs who left Israel in 1948 and who call themselves Palestinians. This is up to them, but we must protect our borders. We will not allow an ant to cross them without our permission.

“Fellow citizens, may God help us in this crisis. Let us stand together as one and may there be peace in Israel and the world at large. . . . Amen.”

Ariel had misgivings as he listened to the speech. It was as if the entire country stood before a traffic light waiting for the green sign to go. To go toward the unknown, which seems better. The phone rang. It was his mother.

“Boker Tov, Ariel.”

“Boker Tov. I was thinking of calling you. How was your night?”

“I feel somewhat better after hearing Titi’s speech. Let’s see what is going to happen. Why didn’t you come to see me yesterday as you promised?”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve called. But I was crushed by work and needed time to think and read. I’ll pass by tonight for sure.”

“No need to. I’m going to Haifa. They say one can go to Wadi al-Nisnas and see the Arab houses there, and even buy one very cheap.”

“Who said that?”

“Judith called from Haifa and she knows an influential guy in the army. He said they’ll announce it. Do you remember the houses on Abbas Street? They are lovely and they overlook the sea. Maybe we can get one there.”

“I don’t think it’s true. We still don’t know what’s going on. I think it’s best if you stay here in Tel Aviv, near me. I’ll come and sleep over tonight or tomorrow. Or you can come to my apartment and sleep there. I’m sleeping in Alaa’s now.”

“I don’t want to stay in Tel Aviv. I want to go somewhere that’s more quiet. And if the news is true, I want us to choose a house there. I had been eyeing a house on Abbas Street. You know that I love the weather in Haifa much more than Tel Aviv. It’s beautiful and quiet. Why are you sleeping in Alaa’s apartment anyway?”

“You are stubborn, mother, and it’s difficult to argue once you’ve made up your mind. Have a good time then and give me a call once you get there.”

“Nishmaa.”

“Nishmaa.”

He heard noise coming from outside so he headed to the window. He couldn’t see much from his balcony. He went back to the room and got his keys, phone, and wallet, and went out to the street.