Then Wadi Said What?
Yesterday morning was nothing out of the ordinary as it related to antisemitism on the Iranian front, the douche nozzle Iranian President Ahmadinejad called for the annihilation of Israel. Nothing new, it goes without saying that he needs new writers, cause his material is old. We are all keeping our fingers crossed that Israel doesn’t take the bait and preemptively attack a country that is calling for its destruction, by a President that has vowed to wipe it off of the map.
A more startling development however came to us via twitter when Andrew Zimmern called out a post that was on Sameh Wadi’s (owner of Saffron and World Street Kitchen) Facebook Wall that depicted a picture (below) of a globe sans Israel (replaced by Palestine) with the comment, “we need more world maps that are correct such as this one!” He went onto reply to a comment that a map missing Israel is, “exactly the way it should be”.
Needless to say, more than a few people through the course of history have suggested (some have even tried) that removing Jews from here or there would solve their problems. Such comments are not only disgusting but given the historical reality are simply unconscionable to any educated and civilized person.
Part of this disturbing revelation were the “likes” that Wadi’s comment received. It appeared that some of his friends and family agreed with his assessment that Israel should no longer exist, that the “correct” version has Israel wiped off of the map, ultimately they side with Ahmadinejad.
Sameh and Heidi got into it when she expressed her shock and disgust at his comment.
The conversation was heated, and I asked Heidi to stop for a moment and consider the source, he’s young, his family is directly from the region, it must be difficult in a way that few of us can understand. As difficult as it is at times we must search our hearts to see past hateful statements. In the words of the Rabbi Rambam, “One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good – he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad – he and the world is destroyed.”
Having said that it would be easy to dismiss Sameh and his disgusting remark but one must be mindful that hate is insidious. It demands the attention of decent people.
During the course of the conversation he mentioned that he moved to this country partly because we have free speech, and therefore I suppose he can claim a “correct” map without Israel is simply his opinion. The only problem with that logic is that a “correct” map without Israel would mean to anyone with knowledge of the situation the murder of men, women, and children to carry out this vision.
Sameh rationalized making his comments as “free speech” (perhaps inspired by the Chick Fil A example?), he has since made NO attempt to back away from his comment. Further he went on to claim that Heidi didn’t understand the history of the region (full disclosure the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu is a distant relative of hers), so therefore he was justified in his comment because apparently he knows the truth-sadly this is a claim too often made to justify extraordinary violence.
Side note: wouldn’t it be nice if when folks moved to this country they put the values of hatred they learned yonder behind them?
Today I am left to wonder which vendors will find it troubling to sell products to folks that are advocating a “correct” solution to their Jewish problem? Or which journalists will give Wadi a pass on his “opinion”? It will be most interesting to learn who, locally, prescribes to this doctrine of hate and violence.
Very well put. I appreciate your insight.
Stewart – you’re right to step back and be willing to ponder the difficulties, of what it might mean to be Palestinian in today’s world, despite the hate-mongering going on. Only through a willingness to listen, to question, to find workable compromises, will a peaceful solution be found. The fact is there are many thousands of Palestinians who still live in refugee camps, on the West Bank, in Syria, Lebanon, having left towns, villages, houses, families, in what is now Israel proper. It’s hard to imagine fleeing your home, thinking you’ll be able to come back one day, to grow old somewhere else, knowing that home is lost. That loss is something that nearly every citizen of Israel, regardless of religious affiliation, can directly relate to, whether their families came from Yemen or Poland, Syria or Russia. It is one that could bring the communities together, recognizing that shared loss and finding a shared future. Sigh – so much hurt and anger.
in Chicago there is a street called devon ave. a large population is immigrants from the middle east and Asia. i knew i had come to right place when i saw halal markets and orthodox butchers in the same block. Hasidic Jews and women in saris crossing the street. if people can live in peace in one of the most segregated cities then progress has been made.
Vendors? What about customers?
On one hand, we have freedom of speech. On the other hand, we tend to get prickly on the whole annihilating Jewish people topic. Such a conundrum.
I think this sort of thing gives lie to the notion Palestinians generally support a two-state solution.
Pathetic.
i stopped eating @ Holy Land a few years back because they posted some anti-Israel literature on the wall in the store. I had heard Sameh was related to the owners of Holy Land, but he wasn’t overtly political, so I patronized Saffron…going so far as to host a dinner party there in honor of my friend (who happens to be Lebanese…we get along famously). I read about his posting about an hour after eating @ his food truck yesterday. that will be the last meal of his that I eat. I did see in the twitter discussion with Zimmern that he tried to divorce his Fbook post from his restaurant. nice try, but the great thing about the web, other than its immediacy, is its transparency.
What always gets me is that those that play the “freedom of speech” card seem to think that it also means there should be no consequences to what they say. Wadi said it and he, along with his restaurant, will have to bear the consequences of it. He isn’t being punished legally for it as he won’t go to jail, but free speech isn’t immune from the consequences of the marketplace and his customers opinions. He will pay that price there. I’m not advocating an organized boycott because I think those things are usually just people trying to get their names in the paper. But I’d have no issue if someone decided to go somewhere else for dinner this weekend because of it. I try, as best I can, to put my money with people who share my values and beliefs. I’m not always perfect, but I make the effort. I’m sure others will do the same after reading this.
What irked me most in reading about this today in other locations is that Wadi was quick to point out that this was his personal Facebook and was no way associated with Saffron. That’s funny because every story and review I’ve read about that restaurant is as much about him as it is the food or the dining room itself. Saffon is all Wadi when it comes to the review. But the moment he says something controversial, there’s a huge line between him and the restaurant. I find that to be just rich…..probably about as rich as his foot is tasting in his mouth right now.
I’ve been a passive observer of your blog for some time now, and enjoy your candor and honesty. This is the first time I am moved to comment.
Within the last ten years I have come to learn that I am of Jewish heritage: my grandfather’s family fled Poland in the early 1900′s, came to America, and quickly adopted Catholicism and changed their name from Ma”jew”ski to a very anglo name. Coincidentally, my sister and I both have Hebrew birth names.
By marriage, I have family in Palestine. I have heard first-hand accounts of the oppression and loss of freedoms that they experience at the hands of the State of Israel and the Israeli Military. Many innocent families have lost livelihoods, homes, and lives as a result. It is an ugly situation.
I think an important distinction needs to be made between the Hebrew people and the State of Israel, and beyond that, between human beings everywhere and the darkness that plagues this fragile planet. This planet has been infected with a violent disease, a cancer, that causes human beings to turn against one another. It is time to heal. I love both Palestinians and Jews. The State of Israel, the corporate-owned US govt., British Parliament and the royal family, Wall Street, the Vatican: not so much.
Our conceptual paradigm has been hijacked: instead of our natural state of unitive consciousness, we experience separation, division, fear, hatred… our reality has been fractured and compartmentalized through religion, education (indoctrination), government, and economic reinforcement, prejudicing an us vs. them viewpoint.
People need to come together and see that, yes, there is an enemy, and it conspires to antagonize us against one another. The enemy is not your fellow human. It is greed, fear, and hatred. Evil exists, and it is insidious. Secretive. And powerful. Though we humans are far more powerful.
The truth is, All is one. Anyone that says otherwise is deceived.
I find it interesting we are searching in our hearts yet the comparison between the chef and the Iranian president seems far from the heart. Furthermore, the region you speak of is Palestine. Do you deny its existence? I find it interesting you have a hard time sympathizing with a people who are losing their homeland. Debate the timelines as you might but people all over the world want safety and security. Full disclosure, I am Palestinian and I wasn’t raised with hatred in my heart hear nor anywhere. I do sympathize with you. It’s a scary feeling when safety and security for those you love and care for is threatened, even if it is or isn’t implied. I wonder how the Lebanese are feeling over this map?
Jawdy Obeid,
“Furthermore, the region you speak of is Palestine.”
Wadi was not born in Palestine, hence the reference to “the region”.
“I do sympathize with you. It’s a scary feeling when safety and security for those you love and care for is threatened, even if it is or isn’t implied.”
It was not “implied” at all, it was stated by Wadi that Israel should not exist. Hence the comparison with Ahmadinejad, who also feels that very same way.
I believe that love and compassion can solve our most difficult issues, including this one. I disagree with the notion that Palestinians will not accept peace, and I disagree 100% with Mitt Romney who stated last week that Palestinians share a lesser set of cultural values.
I will not turn my gaze away from the Palestinians. A fair (free from injustice) two state solution is both moral and equitable IMO.
But none of those facts matter, in light of Wadi’s comment that Israel should not exist, and a map depicting it’s absence is in his words, “as it should be”. Simply no discussion is possible when one calls for the destruction of the other.
If Wadi were to apologize, and realize that he went to far with his comments I would be more than happy to do as the two of us had discussed in the past. That is to host a dinner between the “two sides” at my resto.
Wine dinners are nice, but it would be really special to break bread, and talk about these most painful and difficult issues. Brother Ali has said he would like to join, and I can think of a more than few Jews that would also like have the conversation in Minneapolis be about solutions and mutual understanding. We share a father and mother in Abraham and Sarah, I have no doubt they would direct us to listen and learn from each other.
Dear “one love”, your sentiments are very nice, but are completely undone by attacking the Vatican, the State of Israel, the US Government or the others. Practice what you preach, hate is hate any way you slice it.
Wow. I’m really sad to see how far this has come. You make great points yet I understand Sameh and other Palistinian’s frustrations. I have no religious affiliation on either side (or on any side for that matter), but I think a sit down dinner to discuss the whole situation in person is the definition of progress. That would be an amazing thing to see.
Stewart,
I want to apologize to all the people I offended with my posts and comments. I realize that those postings hurts some people and for that I am deeply sorry. If you know me on a personal level you know that I’m not a hateful person. Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting people of all faiths and backgrounds, who have taught me invaluable lessons. I believe diversity is what makes this world stronger. There should always be open channels of communication among all of us so we can continue to learn from each other and make this world a better place.
On a separate note, If I was filled with hate, I would not have acted so quickly to help when Heidi’s and Blackbird burned down. You and I had a few conversations about collaborating on a dinner that we would bridge that gap and show that our cultures are similar, my offer is still on the table.
Sameh
Israelis are fully aware of the heartbreaking conditions that many Palestinians live in and are deeply saddened and troubled by it. The last place on earth a young Israeli man wants to be is in an oppressive position patrolling in an army unit in Hebron or being on alert for an escalation at the Lebanon or Gaza border. Entertain for a moment that if the Palestinian leaders would genuinely be allowed to seek peace, they would receive unimaginable support from Israel and the Western World; there would be no remnants of refugee camps from 1948, their businesses would prosper, the walls would be modified, they would have resorts on the Mediterranean Sea and education that excluded children’s programs applauding suicide bombers, hate and retribution. In Israel you cannot listen to the radio for 30 minutes without hearing a song longing for peace and an end to grief and sadness. I don’t think the Palestinians have that luxury. Fear of retribution from their own people is what awaits Palestinians or citizens of other Middle Eastern countries for supporting the idea of working with the Israelis to find a fair resolution or God forbid to work in any partnerships. Unfortunately, the wish to replace Israel with a Palestinian state is the least common denominator that unites many citizens of the Middle East, including the far right and the far left. In the bigger picture, leaders of Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Turkey, and Russia have taken turns to head the charge against Israel and to ensure that the Palestinians continue to suffer in order to play their crucial role in erasing Israel from the map. There is no bigger help to that cause than to keep the Palestinians miserable and hateful towards the Jews and the Israelis. And even if many Israelis acknowledge their own role in the Palestinians’ suffering, the Palestinians are not even allowed to have the discussion of how their own leaders have abused them and bullied them into their current circumstance. They would be silenced pretty quickly. Perhaps Mr. Wadi’s reality is that his only option for comfort on this painful subject is to reject Israel all together. And similarly as some of his customers may now feel compelled to reject him and stay away from his businesses, so does Israel reject those who claim they want peace but in the backroom make plans to destroy them.
Sameh,
As quick as one should be to condemn hateful comments, one should be even quicker to forgive.
It seems to me that too often folks harbor resentments and animosity long past events. I’ve been married for ten years and though that is not long, one thing that I have learned is that holding onto hurt is only destructive.
I have no interest in hurting you or your business, and think that the sooner we put this behind us the better. May I suggest the 24th of September, a Monday night at Heidi’s for our dinner. If this day is religiously significant I mean no slight, or if this is not a good day for you I understand. Otherwise let’s coordinate some exciting speakers, and a guest list of folks committed to the pursuit of happiness.
All of the funds raised from Fork the Fire went to the staff that lost jobs in the wake of our fire, and to the Grand Cafe after Jon Radle died. I am still stopped by folks that tell me how much that helped in a rough time. They and I very much appreciate that, and your role.
At the end of the day I know that no one who makes Hummus as smooth and rich and perfect as you could be truly a bad person. Let’s embrace our leadership roles in the community and move this ball down the field together.
Stew
I left you a message at Heidi’s with my digits, call me to plan the event on the 24th.
Sameh
That’s my birthday. My 2 favorite chefs. Count me in. I might write about this Tuesday. Call me guys.
Stewart,
Many who call themselves Israelis were not born in Israel. We are Palestinians regardless of where we are born. Thanks for understanding.
I could careless what the place is called as long as there is justice for the inhabitants. It is my belief the Israel has not provided justice for those they occupy. You surely disagree or have your reasoning.
Jules,
I don’t know where you get your information. Palestinians would love peace and their leaders too. There is a lack of trust on both sides. It is difficult to move towards peace under those conditions. Therefore, Israeli’s are as much to blame.
Jawdy
Jawdy,
What does she have wrong? Do you think Palestinian leaders seeking peace are free to do so? Do you disagree Israeli leaders seeking peace are free to do so?
I find this false equivalency grating.
Kevin,
Thanks for the question.
“The last place on earth a young Israeli man wants to be is in an oppressive position patrolling in an army unit in Hebron or being on alert for an escalation at the Lebanon or Gaza border.”
Israeli’s seem to want peace because of the costs of war is what I got out of jules comment. Not because they feel any sense of remorse.
How about peace and justice because it would be the right thing to do? Would Israeli’s not desire peace if they didn’t have losses of war. I think Israeli’s would want peace regardless.
“In Israel you cannot listen to the radio for 30 minutes without hearing a song longing for peace and an end to grief and sadness.”
I think the majority of Israeli’s want peace and a minority wants to perpetuate the status quo. Let’s not forget Yitzhak Rabin. Are you sure peace is what Israel wants? Is it the will of the people of Israel and their song writing which is driving the actions of the government? Are the people calling for change and improved conditions for themselves and their cousins the Palestinians? No the politically active right-wing has the people in grips, crippling the people with fear and allowing extremists on both sides to get the majority of the attention. This is what I gathered from my travels and exposure.
“I don’t think the Palestinians have that luxury.”
Arabians which are Jewish, Christian and Muslim want peace and they are not shy saying so. Especially, the Lebanese and even more so the Palestinians.
“Israeli’s seem to want peace because of the costs of war is what I got out of jules comment. Not because they feel any sense of remorse.”
That’s true of every member of every military. The cost of going to war is so high that it is always preferable to be at peace, home with families. Also, you said Jules’ comment was inaccurate, not that it implied ill motives.
“Arabians which are Jewish, Christian and Muslim want peace and they are not shy saying so.”
In Palestine, they may not be shy, but they are not permitted. Dissent is not tolerated in Palestine by the leadership.
Shef said: “I have no interest in hurting you or your business, and think that the sooner we put this behind us the better.”
Then why did you post this on your blog in the first place, Shef? Did you not consider that it could severely damage a fellow chef’s reputation? Was it a bad judgement call you made in anger? I don’t doubt the sincerity of your peaceful intentions here, but my neck is sore from the the severe sentimental whiplash I just got.
Emmy,
Holy shit, talk about selective hearing.
me “As quick as one should be to condemn hateful comments, one should be even quicker to forgive.”
Condemn hateful comments. Hello.
Wadi apologized, and demonstrated his extraordinary intelligence by his ability to consider when comments he made resulted in hurt feelings. That is a quality that is all too rare in our society.
Forgive doesn’t mean forget. It means work to find a way to move past. That is what comes next.
“…and a guest list of folks committed to the pursuit of happiness.”
(raises hand)
What a great and healthy conversation!
I heard you well, Shef. I understand the importance of condemning hateful comments. It’s a question of priorities. What is more important, condemning a colleague’s hateful comments in the public square of social media, or preserving the integrity of that person’s reputation and livelihood? That’s up to you. My point is, you can’t have it both ways. Reputation is like a Volvo: Easy to damage, very difficult and costly to repair.
Is there anything more important and necessary than condemning hateful comments when they are made? Or when they are perceived to have been made? No, you think otherwise, as you are entitled.
The comments were made, they needed to be addressed, and they were, and will be again if need be. Whoever that may be.
Nobody is trying to have it both ways. Further your implication that addressing hateful comments precludes forgiveness is utter nonsense.
As it relates to reputation as Abe said, “the tree is the real thing”.
“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” Abraham Lincoln
Shef – I couldn’t agree more about the importance of condemning hateful remarks. I’m saying that doing so in the public sphere carries much different reputational consequences than condemning the comments privately, off-line, directly with the person.
***Off-topic blabbing :***
I had the privilege of judging the Uptown Art Fair culinary competition yesterday and was so impressed by Ben Mauk’s dishes. He did well. Enjoyed a glass of wine and that lucious pea purée at BH after the competition – really hit the spot.
Err, pea pâté, that is.
Emmy,
The initial comments were made publicly, brought to my attention by an international figure. The response was public. The apology was public, the acceptance was public.
The best possible outcome has been achieved, we have added to the public discourse and have committed to continue to do so in a positive and constructive way.
Had the initial comments not been public, there is no question a quiet conversation would have been held on the side.
I am so proud of Ben for his hard work and dedication, he is doing wonderful things.
Chef,
I don’t understand your position at all. Chef Wadi’s comment was not hateful, it stated a point of view that is different than yours. One of his first tweets to Zimmern stated his position in a very clear way.”of course i don’t deny the existence of israel, i’m merely showing the existence of palestine on the world map.” To which, Zimmern accused him of altering the map.
Also in your prior response, you mentioned that you have no intent of hurting his business, but I saw your tweet from the BH to which you were agreeing to the boycott Wadi’s restaurants.
Wadi is a class act, he apologized for hurting people’s feeling, now it’s your turn to show the same respect.
For the record, I am a secular Jew that stands for the state of Palestine.
Jason
I made my points very clear. Saying the a map of that does not include Israel is, “as it should be”.
Is hateful to many, many, many. If you can’t see that, or don’t care to read the context than that is your choice.
You can read today’s post to come up to speed on the rest. thanks
“Chef Wadi’s comment was not hateful, it stated a point of view that is different than yours.”
I don’t get it. Why are people going out of their way to pretend he didn’t say what he said? Defend what he said or don’t.
Also, Shef is being exceedingly graceful here, far more than I am so inclined.
So the biggest question is, how do I get invited to the meeting of the great culinary minds?
TCJewfolk.com would love to be a part of the conversation.
Sameh Wadi hasn’t returned calls.
I have an offer to moderate a debate by an extremely fair minded individual. Who is neither Jewish nor Muslim.
I’d like to accept.
If I ever hear back I will let you know.