Today, among other things happening in Israel, the fifth (of six) Nefesh B’Nefesh flight of the Summer landed at Ben Gurion airport. Although participants in the welcoming ceremony were asked to “Celebrate Aliyah” and “Focus on your friends and family”, it was just too much when (erstwhile cool politician, now a left-wing Sharon and Peres lackey) Ehud Olmert addressed the crowd.

From the Jerusalem Post article:

In fact, Olmert had barely finished his first few words when a roar of taunting disapproval came back from many of the new arrivals and their guests.

The minister responded to the first wave of reproach with indulgence.

“I see some of you already fit right into Israeli democracy,” he said.

“Traitor!” cried out a heavy-set man with an orange wristband. “You’re stealing Jews’ homes!” shouted another.

As the crowd got more provocative, Olmert responded with a taunt of his own, “Maybe if you or a few million of you had come earlier, we wouldn’t have had to leave Gaza.”

He tried to win the audience back with a strong finish, pounding the podium, “This place is ours and will remain ours.”

“You re giving it away,” the man with the orange band bitterly retorted.

Ever since seeing pictures like these from previous NBN welcoming ceremonies, I have thought to myself: if I land in Israel, and am greeted by one of those guys, I hope that I have the courage (and chutzpah) not to shake the hand of someone who supports expelling Jews from their homes, giving our land to our enemies (along with lots of guns and bullets).

With that in mind, to the man who wore the orange wristband at today’s welcoming ceremony – thanks for speaking up.