I have to concur with Harry. Yesterday’s episode of The Ambassador was The Phantom Menace of the series (i.e. a big let-down when compared to the previous instalments). Let’s just hope that next week’s isn’t The Attack of the Clones of the series (i.e. yet another let-down).
Without going into a blow-by-blow description of the episode (I won’t tread on Harry’s turf), what I really don’t understand from last night’s episode is how Eitan was chosen to stay. I mean, it doesn’t matter that no-one else on his team likes him, since that experience can make him really identify with Israel. And the fact that he is so short is also irrelevant, since they say that television can add on a few inches. What should have precluded him from continuing in the competition is his response to a question put to him, regarding how he would explain images such as the one of the PLO Arab “being forced” to play the violin. Even though it turned out that the PLO Arab was not “forced” to play, and even though IDF soldiers would have been justified in having the PLO Arab briefly play his violin (due to the terrorist tendency to smuggle weapons through checkpoints), Eitan still saw it fit to answer by by saying that he has nothing to say, and nothing could justify it!
How can someone like that possibly be in contention to represent Israel and explain Israel’s case to the world? Can you imagine how badly this would be perceived?
Wolf Blitzer: So why does Israel stop ambulances at checkpoints? Is this not impeding humanitarian causes?
Eitan: No comment.
Wolf Blitzer: OK. And why the targeted killings of militant leaders? Does this not lead to a cycle of violence?
Eitan: Yes, It is bad.
Wolf Blitzer: And the security fence?
Eitan: You mean wall, right?
Wolf Blitzer: Ok thanks for your time. That was Israeli spokesperson Eitan Schwartz.
Mind you, he does speak French fluently. And that could come in very handy (“va te faire“).
