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Motorcycle Diaries: the Middle Eastern version


Zvi (“Zvika”') Yehezkeli

Zvi Yehezkeli, the head of Channel 10's Arab Desk, did an interesting piece for the Friday night news magazine show: A few months after he had a serious motorcycle accident that had him homebound for a fair chunk of time, he joined a group of Israeli alpha males on a motorcycle trip in the Jordanian desert.

The trip required special permission from H.M. King Abdullah, not only because the Israeli guys were allowed to cross the Sheikh Hussein border without changing their license plates, but also because only policemen and the royal family are allowed to ride motorcycles in Jordan. Click on the picture below in order to be taken to the clip, courtesy of Nana. There are no English subtitles, but the visuals are great and there are some interesting interactions with the Bedouin. Arabic speakers might have fun listening to Zvi speak their language with a Hebrew accent.

Just as the end credits are rolling, Zvi says something like, “Peace starts with the heart, and these Jordanians who hosted a group of Israeli tourists have plenty of heart.” Awww…..

After viewing the video, la Noorster sent me the following Instant Message: “I think I'm about to faint from the testosterone residue.” She has such a way with words.


Kleek on ze photo and be taken to the video.

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This entry was written by Lisa Goldman and posted on May 13, 2007 at 2:30 pm and filed under Main Page. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment(Latest is displayed first) or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

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18 Comments so far (Add 1 more)

  1. Definitely, but definitely, agreeing with Noorster. My concentration has been shot to hell…

    1. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  2. I didn't like it…
    They were beyond patronizing.
    Then there's the way they brought up the Palestinian vs. Jordanian issue even when noticing the discomfort caused by the subject.

    2. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  3. I agree with you on all points, and I'm glad you posted your comment. The patronizing attitudes are, I think, born of a cultural disconnect between Arabs and Israeli Jews, but that's an explanation – not an excuse.

    3. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  4. i liked the story.. didnt think of it as patronising.. and remember hearing similar reports when the first harley davidson convoy from israel toured the mountain roads..

    4. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  5. I would love to see the Mideast from the back of my BMW or my BSA! Viva testosteron! Get things done! Ah the road less traveled!

    5. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  6. a bus would be fine for me

    6. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  7. Okay… I like Tzvi, I especially hearing his Arabic, and I like looking at his hair.
    HOWEVER.. that was ridiculous.. I felt ashamed on behalf of my people.. not just the condescension (a real Bedouin! look, feel his chest) but also.. the condescension (honey, when Jordanians HOST Israelis on motorcycles.. you know that's real! Yeah!) not to mention the Abdullah fixation, which was also weird.
    But the most ridiculous was the motorcycles in the desert. THE DESERT IS NOT MADE FOR MOTORCYCLES.
    That illustrated everything infuriating about Israeli culture. Especially their ridiculous motorcycle suits. And their mock graveur: a man down! (Strongly) “It'll be okay”.
    I'm being overly critical, and I'm glad you pointed attention to this, but I'm disappointed! I think Txvi is usually a little more sophisticated. Or, less self-involved? Maybe not exactly, but it really rubbed me the wrong way here.

    7. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  8. Hey Lisa -
    I pretty much agree with everything you wrote about Zvi's little report (including the hair ;) ), but not about the shame part. Their outta control (and so boring) Israelismo machismo and patronizing attitudes are their own problem. They don't reflect my attitudes, and obviously they don't reflect yours either.
    I thought the camels were cute, though – no? :P

    8. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  9. Desert not for Motorcycles??? Can you say “Paris-Dakar”? I knew you could….

    9. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  10. yeah, you're right– I'm not really ashamed, I just was expecting something good. :) Usually I do like Tzvi's little features, and I was let doown.
    Sayed Kashua references this flix, by the way, in this weekend's column. You were ahead of the game!

    10. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  11. Oh… you mean they were talking and stuff?

    11. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  12. I couldn't see the video on my little Mac, and reading the comments I'm bummed!

    12. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  13. Too much testosterone? Honey, wake up and smell the humus. After watching that clip, I just want to lie back and have a smoke and coffee.

    13. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  14. Testosterone?
    We're having a fire sale of hormones in North Lebanon. I suggest they drive through while supplies last.

    14. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  15. Viva ZVI Guevarra and his blessed motorcycle revolution! Cause, as you know, Jordan is the problematic neighbour to Israel. Those damn Jordanians!

    15. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  16. The only useful idea I got of this post is to go and borrow a set of motorcycle clothes (and, well, a wig) and make a set of pictures at respectable distance. Seeing as…

    16. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  17. Pah! Lisa is that any different than you going up to north Israel during the last fracas and getting shelled. OOOGH smell the estrogen!
    That clip is really cool. Heading out across Jordan on two wheels. And look – nobody is shooting at each other – Imagine that. Too bad I can't understand a word of what they were saying. As a motorcycle long-distance rider I will personally thank King Abdullah next time I see him. I think the King rides a Harley. Motorcycle people are all tied loosely together no matter the marque.
    I wish I had gone on that trip. Looked like a blast. Get out from behind your computer screens people and live a little. Perhaps a Vespa for starters….

    17. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  18. Seemed like a fun trip! though i missed the talking in hebrew, i did note the paternalising of the poor bedouin guy…
    in any event, i don't think Yehezkeli has a hebrew accent in arabic! Mizrahi, I assume? But he does sound like someone who's trying just a tat too hard to sound natural :)

    18. Anonymous
    on February 9th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

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