this song, which I recorded and mixed is from a band called Dorjeman
of which I am a member.
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mic night is an event that happened in Israeli politics.
The translation might sound a bit weird, as I used google translate to translate the wikipedia.il page…
so i’m sorry if it sounds strange.
The short version: in the middle of a right-winged party convention one official shouted against the prime minister : “Those in favor of eliminating terrorism, raise your hand!”
which is kind of funny.
the chorus is: “sing with us, together we will win against the terrorism” and in the verses, we talk about how cool are we.
Now, the long version:
Night of the microphones was the name given by the media to the Likud Party Central Committee meeting on 12 February 1990 in which Ariel Sharon announced his resignation from the position of Minister of Industry and Trade. At the time, the Prime Minister was Yitzhak Shamir. At Sharon’s resignation, Sharon tried to convince the Keneset (Israel’s congress) that he would make a better leader. When Shamir had Sharon’s microphone turned off, Sharon ripped the mic out of Shamir’s hands and shouted out “Who wants to help me stop terrorism!” Sharon apparently doesn’t understand the concept of “passing the mic.” For those interested, here’s a helpful little timeline of what the heck was going on.
- November 1988 George Bush (the father) was elected as the new president of the United States. The new U.S. administration, which took office at the beginning of the third act of Shamir’s government, led by Secretary of State James Baker declared that Israel must negotiate with the PLO and that “Israel must give up the unrealistic vision of the Land of Greater Israel”.
- May 1989, after returning from a meeting with Shamir government leaders in Washington approved the four-step program called “Rabin and Shamir plan,” which included the following points:
- Strengthening relations between Egypt and Israel.
- Establishment of peace between Israel and other Arab nations.
- Solution to the Palestinian refugee problem.
Elections in the territories to choose Palestinian representatives were conducted with Israel on the autonomy negotiations.
Position of the “Likud” was that the Arabs of East Jerusalem will not be able to participate in elections in the territories in the political process. Shamir’s basic approach was contrary to any territorial compromise that might have brought order, and was confronted with heavy opposition within his own party. And what do we do when our enemy is down? We kick them! So, Ariel Sharon, David Levy, Yitzhak Modai helped foment discontent, claiming that the proposed program would lead eventually to establish a Palestinian state in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Shamir realized that if he wasn’t going to play ball, he wouldn’t be able to maintain control of his government…
- February 12, 1990 the Likud Central Committee held a conference which was supposed to be a discussion on the political program, raising various policy proposals by the party a secret ballot at the polls. Sharon feared that the conference would give power back to Shamir, so he did what any good democratic leader would do, and hijacked the sound system…
With the sound system firmly in his control, Sharon spoke:
“I want to read here a letter I sent tonight to the Prime Minister: I hereby submit my resignation to you (…) Mr. Prime Minister, under your government, Palestinian terrorism will be rampant in the land of Israel (…) I know and am convinced that terrorism can destroy us. In a short time we can return law and order throughout the country of Israel and make peace between us and the Arabs, all based on our historical right to the Land of Israel (…) There are times when a person needs to know to get up from his chair and start walking. There are moments in life when we wake up and know that we have to fight or die. This is perhaps the last hour to stand up and do so. ”
Shock and silence spread through the crowd until suddenly a major uproar was heard and hundreds of supporters and fans started yelling, “Aric, Aric” (nickname for Ariel). When he finished his words, Sharon asked the prime minister to deliver a response. Shamir opted to avoid direct confrontation with Sharon saying, “I have not received your letter of resignation, and only after I receive it I will respond” immediately after this statement he turned and read a speech prepared in advance…as if nothing happened. At the end of this speech Shamir asked for a poll, saying “The public needs to know who represents the Likud – I or this man (indicating Sharon). I appeal to members this question: Would they accept my offer and place in me their trust?”
Then the shit hit the fan. Shamir’s microphone was silenced and Sharon’s was turned up to a full, dictatorial blast. His voice roared through the sound system: “I ask the members of the center, those in favor of eliminating terrorism, raise your hand. Those of you against sharing East Jerusalem with the Arabs, raise your hand. “ Shamir, embarrassed and dejected, tried unsuccessfully to restore the voting sincere called “Who is for me, who is for me!”
In the confusion it was impossible to know whise hands were raised for who. Shamir closed the conference after declaring that the vote was a massive majority for himself and thanked the members for the trust and support.
This event is perceived by many in the Israeli public as the most shameful occasion of Israeli politics, and there were many expressions of disgust in general and members of the Likud politicians in particular.
this is so legit, in so many ways. way to go, man!