Apologizing to MK Zoabi
Apologizing to MK Zoabi

Dear Hanein Zuabi:

I heard your demands both for an apology and for compensation for all that you have been through ever since the Mavi Marmara attack seven years ago. I take your demands quite seriously, and so, even though I am but a private citizen who cannot claim to represent Israel, the nation, or the government, here is my apology to you:

I am sorry that Israeli law allows you to sit in the Knesset and sprout your venom against the Jewish state. I am deeply sorry that my government has not found a way to bar you, and other terrorist-supporters, from entering the Knesset.


I am sorry that Israeli law allows you to sit in the Knesset and sprout your venom against the Jewish state.
I am sorry that so many Israeli citizens see you and your political party as their representatives that they voted you into office last election. I’m sorry that your status as Member of Knesset grants you immunity from the law, which is why you can make your disgusting statements calling our soldiers “murderers” with impunity.

I am sorry that I, as a taxpayer, am forced to support you as you continue to hold office in the House which you so hate, drawing a generous salary from the state which you long to eliminate.

I am sorry that my country Israel offers you a platform from which to spew forth your obscenities. I am even sorrier that the media, both here and abroad, offer you their microphones.

I promise to make my best efforts to ensure that my nation and my government will not make these unforgivable errors in the future.

I am sorry that it is I, a private citizen, and not my Prime Minister and Government, which is making this apology to you.

Nevertheless, I make this apology sincerely, and I deeply hope that you will accept it in the spirit that it is intended.

And now I turn to your demand for compensation for all that you have been through. I realise that you have, indeed, suffered, and I sincerely wish to alleviate your suffering. And so I hereby promise, in public and in writing, that I am willing – nay, eager – to compensate you by buying your one-way ticket to Turkey, or Egypt, or Pakistan, or France, or any other country on G-d’s earth that you may choose, on condition that you promise not to return to this country which you claim has mistreated you so horribly.

Daniel Pinner, Israeli citizen.