Sami Michael: I am an optimistic

The famous Israeli writer Sami Michael was invited by the young leaders of the social protest in Israel to give a speech in the rally and he spoke in Hebrew and in Arabic. The Rally in Haifa was very special thanks to the cooperation between Jews and Arabs.

At age 85, it’s hard to be optimistic but the young generation today makes me feel optimistic.

It is the first time in Israeli history that the fuel and engine joined together, it is the first time that the middle class connects with the rest of the people and it’s the first time that Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Arabs, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Bahais, blacks and whites unite in a common struggle. I don’t remember anything like this in Haifa or elsewhere across Israel.

The impact of the Middle East has reached us, too.

Thanks to the shiny eyes of the young people here I am an optimistic. You, all the young people, don't know what a miracle you are realizing. You by your hands are reshaping anew Israeli society.

It is not enough to demand justice, you have to fight for it. Every revolution movement need continuous regeneration and vision, therefore I am suggesting to pitch a tent in front of the home of every parliament member, 10 protest tents of the home of every minister. In front of the prime –minister home don't pitch any tent, because he is totally detached. We have to help the parliament members and the ministers to remember that they are there for serve the people but not to be the masters of the land. They have to concern the interest of the people but not the rich, not the capital.

Today thanks to you I am an optimistic. Thanks to you I feel as I am twenty years old.