When Israeli nationalism gets into your food

Ami Kaufman By Ami Kaufman September 13, 2011 | Edit

Everyone knows that Israel has become a much more racist and nationalist society over the past decade, and particularly since Bibi Netanyahu came to power and formed the most right wing coalition to ever rule the land.

So, I can’t say – taking into consideration the persons involved – that the boycott law or loyalty oath come as much as a surprise. And I’m not terribly surprised when foreign workers are deported, when Arabs can’t live in Jewish communities or when Ethiopian Jewish children can’t learn with the white folk.

But lately I have this feeling that the nationalism is slowly reaching my plate. Remember when you wanted a good plate of hummus, or a shishkebab, or a juicy shawarma you would go to what was once known an “Eastern restaurant” (Mis’ada Mizrahit)?

Why is that now they’re not called that anymore? Suddenly, now they’re all called “Israeli grill” restaurants.

When Israeli nationalism gets into your food
The "Agenda" franchise calls itself an "Israeli Grill"

And they’re not even Israeli! It’s all Arab food! There’s nothing Israeli in an Israeli grill! Except the Israeli culinary plagiarism!

And what’s up with the supermarket chain called “Mega” that are selling me these?

When Israeli nationalism gets into your food
"Israeli Garlic - with special aroma and flavor" (photo: Ami Kaufman)

Excuse me, but how dumb do they think I am?!?! What the hell is “Israeli garlic”?

Is it rude garlic that bites your tongue? Does it taste like racism? When put in shakshuka, does it occupy the whole frying pan?

No wonder so many people out there like it crushed.

——————

UPDATE:  Although I still believe the Mega packaging reeks of nationalism, I can not deny the convincing evidence brought before me in the comment thread below of California raisins, Aussie garlic and more.

Therefore, I hereby APOLOGIZE sincerely to each and every Israeli garlic I may have offended, and hope that this will serve as an example to all nations of the region.

Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman was chief night editor for Haaretz, for the prominent Israeli financial daily Calcalist, and correspondent on Israeli affairs for 93.6 RAM FM, a joint Palestinian-Israel radio station. His interest in food and cooking led to culinary studies at the "Israeli CIA" (Tadmor, Herzliya) and a brief stint in the restaurant business. Born in Tel Aviv, Ami lives in Bat Yam with his wife and two daughters. In his spare time he blogs at Half & Half.

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