This pretty young lady is Abeer Qibti, a Palestinian young woman from Al-Nasserah (Nazareth), participated in a TV show called "Looking for a leader," in Channel 2 of the Israeli TV. Abeer Qibti was the strongest among the four finalists in the show, which is a form of Donald Trump's show, "The Assistant." The team of the show judges disqualified Abeer when she refused to stand up in respect to the Israeli national anthem. She explained her position saying that she would not show respect to the symbols of Zionist racism even if this means the loss of $1.1 million, the value of the award she was expected to win.
When she was asked by one of the judges; actress Jaela Almajor, "Will you stand for a moment of respect to the souls of the dead Israeli soldiers?", Abeer replied in a very calm and confident tone: "I will never stand to respect Israeli soldiers. These are my principals and believes, and the are not for sale." At this point, the judges were shocked and decided to disqualify her from the show, which no doubt she was wining if she continued.
When she was later interviewed she said, that the program and its team always insisted that the aim is not to shape and search for a political leader, but a social leader, but what happened with her was simply a questioning by political court. She was the only one questioned about her political views. "From the start, I hoped lose because I didn't want the Israelis to use my winning as a political tool to claim how democratic they are with Arab, and the equal opportunities they claim to be giving to non Jewish in this state, which is completely fails." She confirms: "I'm proud of my believes and positions, which I never and will not ever exchange for money, the prize dose not matter for me, all what matters for me is message that I could and did send on behalf of all Arab."
I pow with respect to this Palestinian Olive Tree. She lost a million, but won millions of Arab hearts.
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won her dignity is good, and i bow to that with so much respect, but won million of arab hearts? shou istafadna?! anyway this is the cynical in me.
I guess there are many that will choose the million $$$, but glad to see who knows real values of life. God bless Palestine :)
I think this highlights an interesting idea. In the Arab world, and Muslim wider world, it is felt that Jews and those who support the Jews, have too much influence. Things like this tend to support this idea. What does the support for Israel have to do with a show like this? Since when is someone forced to stand in respect for any country but their own? What if she had been a Jehova’s Witness who refuse to stand for even their own national anthem?
I think she is a brave young woman and will certain see success elsewhere in her life. In a world where too many people refuse to stand for anything, I think her choice to give up hundreds of thousands of dollars and fame for a principle to be enlightening.
Madas, I see this as leading by example, so istafadna kteer. It’s and endless war so far, but it’s not time to give up.
Abu Sinan, the fact here is that she is an Israeli by nationality. She was born in the Zionist state and had no choice like many other hundreds of thousands who live inside what we call the “1948 lands”, but to carry the Israeli passport. So, by definition (unfortunately) she is an Israeli. However, roots never fade and never change, and I’m not claiming that those Palestinians inside the 1948 lands are all having such feeling like Abeer. Unfortunately not, but majority are, and that is a good sign, specially for young generation.
It is very important to keep reminding this generation and all following, that they are living under occupation, which is not their choice. Very important to keep them tied to their Palestinian root.
Maybe hundreds of thousands of other Palestinian living there, do stand for the Israeli national anthem, may be they became careless, or they lost hope, or they just have no choice since they live inside Israel.
Anyway, as Hatem said, God bless Palestine and all Palestinians, specially those who live under the occupation.
Good points Haitham. I watched with interest the recent issues within the Christian Palestinian community regarding the actions of one of their leaders in Jeruselum. I think the anger and the activism that surrounded that incident shows that the fight for Palestine is anything but an exclusively Muslim idea. These were Christians voicing showing their support for their people and their state.
I wonder, is there a Palestinian National Anthem?
Are You kidding me? Of course there is Palestinian National Anthem:
http://www.palestinehistory.com/anthem.htm
Regarding the Christian Palestinians, no one can deny their contribution as part of the Palestinian community. Abeer is one of them, and the list of names are endless. Take for example Hanan Ashrawi, George Habash, etc..
I wasnt aware there was a Palestinian National Anthem. Thanks Haitham. I a huge fan of Edward Said.
Haitham.. thank you very much… I did not know we have a national anthem either… I love it… it is absolutely beautiful, absolutely expressive…… I really and trully love it. thanks
You are welcome guys :-)
And if you could listen to it at the above link, here it is at my blog: (right click, save file and use Real Player to listen):
http://sabbah.biz/mt/images/palestinenationalanthem.ram
BTW, Palestinian National Anthem:
Words: Ibrahim Hefeth Touqan (1905-1941)
Music:
* Mohammad Salim Flayfel (1899-1986)
* Ahmad Salim Flayfel (1906-1991)
MAGNIFICIENT TO SEE SOMEONE IN THIS MATERIALISTIC DAY AND AGE WITH PRINCIPLES!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD ON YA GIRL…Abeer Qibti, a champion among champions for sure… GREETINGS FROM AUSTRALIA, LETS HOPE AND PRAY MORE INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE AROUND, for if there are your people will get the freedom you so rightly deserve! eventually..
GREAT ABEER!!! By the way I hope that in future I wouldn’t hear anymore the words “Zionist” or “Zionism” with a bad meaning.
Abeer, mashalla 3alaykee, let us all be so lucky to have an oppurtunity and stand for what is right.
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