Of sheikhs and schadenfreude

On hearing of Sheikh Raed Salah's arrest in Britain this week, one can't help experiencing a spontaneous feeling of schadenfreude - a feeling that just won't subside. He is the Palestinian-Arab embodiment of evil and wickedness, an inciter and provocateur who lies without hesitation, fanning flames wherever he goes. A reckless political operator who knowingly and maliciously lies, saying that Israeli plans to harm the al-Aqsa mosque, whipping up violence or incipient violence at every opportunity.

Is anyone surprised that Great Britain -- the country that brought parliaments and democracy to the world -- does not want this man in their country? Not in Hyde Park, not in Westminster. He came to incite, so the United Kingdom arrested him and placed cuffs around his wrists and ankles. They did so without apology, explanation or hesitation. We can finally feel a measure of contentment regarding this man, who in the past confessed to and was found guilty of contact with a foreign agent. The indictment charged him with even worse crimes.

I have never supported silencing him for being a racist and anti-Semite. It wouldn't help. It's a better idea to let him speak his mind. Israel can compete against him for the hearts and minds of the Israeli Arab public by trying to persuade them that Raed Salah is a disaster for both nations, whether we live in one state or two.

But the schadenfreude would be incomplete if only the head of the northern branch of the Islamic movement were involved. The phenomenon is growing and spreading to MKs like Haneen Zoabi, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, Dr. Jamal Zahalka and Taleb El-Sana, who was forced to pass on a meeting with a British minister. They are all protesting Salah's arrest as if chased by demons, like people who know that on the day that, God forbid, he goes from being the sheikh of Um al-Fahm to Israeli Arabs' main spokesman, they will have to run for their lives. They will have to hide in their houses, replace their jeans with burkas, substitute the beach with the veil, and make excuses for having studied medicine and pharmacy at Jewish universities.

They are well aware of how much Salah threatens their way of life. They would like nothing better than to stand on the banks of the Thames and applaud British Home Secretary Theresa May. They would also like to whisper in her ear that if she has the power to do so, could she please keep Salah in solitary confinement as long as possible, maybe until Gilad Shalit is freed.

But they have to register protest. They are compelled to strike an anti-Semitic tone and blame the Jews and Zionists for bringing about Salah's arrest. They know it's not true. And maybe in the Knesset cafeteria they even whisper "a pox on his house." To be an Arab member of Israel's Knesset is to live with daily dissonance.

טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו