10 agorot
It is a small coin, but it was a lot of anger, a ten-coin with the value
of 2 cents. She looks like a penny, 10 of these ten have the value of a shekel. It shows on the one hand the number 10 and the word "agorot" in Hebrew and in Latin letters. On the other hand, it shows in a semicircle of three inscriptions with the State of Israel, Hebrew, Arabic and Latin. In is very small and artfully stamped the seal of the Israeli bank, a menorah, framed by two ears and very large: the image. The image: A menorah, the seven candlesticks and including an outline, not round, not square, just bulky. But this picture, the religious symbol of the seven-branched candelabrum with this outline - this picture is the scandal.
dirty money has
A Palestinian bus driver when I told him five of the 10-Agoroth coins for a half-shekel would give (the equivalent of 50 agorot), reacts angrily, dirt, worthless, and I am to bring back to Israel, where they work with this crap money ... The whole bus laughed. But I was confused because I had already been rejected several times testy back when I had come to someone with this coin. In East Jerusalem, and Palestine only the coins with a value of 1 and 2 and a half shekels are used. All figures after the decimal point to be half or whole shekel to be rounded. The penny is not used.
time for stories
One day a young Palestinian told me the story, the story to Nuisance. We were together in Abu Gosh, a former site of the Israeli army
. The site is part of the municipality of Beit Sahour, one of the neighboring towns of Bethlehem, but the Jewish settlers have thrown an eye on it. They have tried for several weeks each before the Sabbath, to occupy the premises. Some non-governmental organizations, especially their international volunteers, have sought, in return, on Fridays before the settlers to be there to use the racist and Zionist slogans to paint over the settlers, and terrain. On the site wants to build the city's playgrounds, a park and a children's hospital. The actions are intended to show that this site is not for new illegal settlements available. On this day we played bingo. About 40 people gathered on the small hill between the abandoned construction sites and have been pleased. If settlers would come, should be a sign that says "Bingo: play along for 2 shekels" to invite them to play along. The slogan was: No provocation, no fisticuffs - just the kind invitation. When I wanted to pay my 2 shekels more for fun because it was not about money, yes, me a 10 agorot coin fell out of the wallet. The Palestinians next to me, Walid took them gingerly and threw it to me. And then he told the first the history of the coin and then the history of history.
Greater Israel
What do you see? he asked. Looks funny ... What is this outline that? A misslungner pancakes. Look close look! Do you see the Mediterranean coast of Lebanon to the Nile? Really, that should be the Mediterranean coast? What then is the great land east of it? Well, maybe Israel, Palestine, Jordan? And Syria and Iraq! The whole is greater Israel, dominated by the menorah. That's not serious, I objected. I do not, this is the dream of the Zionists
claimed Walid. Such a small insignificant coin of the dream of such a large case-Israel? Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates? Yes, "said Walid, a map of Greater Israel and the menorah about it. The other Palestinians were laughing. So it is here, "said the Dutch, all have a story here. A gift
And then Walid told the second story. An Israeli was at his house, a college friend. After the guest had used the toilet and got Walid found on the shelf, a 10-Agoroth coin, they have brought the visitor and want to return. No, no, said the it was a good habit, so we wish friends a blessing for the house, the coin has a friendly meaning. Take this with, I do not want to have in my toilet, Walid has summoned the Israeli visitors and ended the story.
I wanted to prove Walid with the history of the history that this was a little hostile coin with the dream of the Zionists.
bingo without settlers
Our bingo game went well over. Settlers came none. Some of us regret that eventually would have liked to see her reaction. The three soldiers who watch us and gain should take in the event that the settlers actually appear again and protected
should be, have received instruction from their commander to us from the premises send what we have observed. One of the Palestinians has listened to their telephone conversations. They had the commander made the proposal to us to prosecute for illegal gambling. But so far was the commander are not obvious. He probably found that it was still a fun of us, for the soldier on the phone has affirmed him, no, is the not funny ... The morning had passed pleasantly, the Sabbath was approaching, no violent actions for the next few days on this expected terrain. At home I opened the computer and looked up. The true story
And there was really the story: The coin has its modern history in relation to the transfer of Pound to Israeli Shekel their ancient relation and its scandal.
When the 10-agorot coin in 1988 in the train of a currency reform came into circulation, Arafat has called a press conference and accused Israel to bring this coin is a map of the future Greater Israel from the Nile to the Red Sea and the Euphrates in circulation. This is Zionist expansionism. As far as the accusation that had a broad echo in the Arab world.
The Bank of Israel was entirely surprised and entered the ancient model of agorot coin to the public. This is demonstrated for the period 40 BCE: a coin of the last Hasmonean king, Mattathias Antigonus II marked. From this ancient coin, there are pictures in the National Museum. Since the original discovery piece was damaged and no longer new light, it has alleged the outline, which is now seen on the modern imitation. The outline is not the same, the Israeli artist, who designed the coin, made of his artistic freedom. But it is not a map. As far as the statement.
The story of the telltale outline, however, it remains alive. It has its truth in the suspicion of the Palestinians against the aggressive Zionists, who always olive tree plantations , Burn their villages to penetrate, which lie close to the major settlements in the occupied territories and build the outpost, where later settlements are to be recognized by the government. The mistrust is fueled daily by messages of this kind.
And the secret storage in Palestinian toilets?
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