Arabs living in Eretz Yisrael tend to not make up an important component of the focus of this blog except when they are directly related to events affecting Settlers. Similarly perhaps, Arabs in Eretz Yisrael tend to not make up an important component of the security dialogue of the Land of Israel – except when they are trying to compromise it, be it in the Knesset or on the street.

For a long time, Arabs in Eretz Yisrael viewed themselves as separate from the rest of the country when it came to issues of war and peace. And not just because nearly all don't serve in the army or even do National Service.

In general they either relied on their immunity from war, as it was their brethren (sometimes literally) that were attacking this country, so they knew they were safe, or they tacitly or even openly assisted those that would hurt this country – again from the Knesset or from the street.

Suddenly Israel faces an unconventional war.

Instead of troops coming in and attacking, and then either bypassing the Arab villages, or entering them and receiving succor and support, Israel is attacked by missiles that, as it unexpectedly turns out, can’t differentiate between a Jewish town and an Arab one.

So the Arabs complain, “Why don’t we have an air raid siren?” and “Why don’t we have bomb shelters?”

All the while ignoring why they don’t.

While it is clear why they don’t have bomb shelters (besides that they don't build them into their homes like most Jewish homes do) as no one thought they would ever need them in a conventional war (after all who would be targeting them – their brethren?), but it is still an interesting question as to why they don’t have air raid sirens.

You see it turns out that many of the Arab towns (such as Nazareth) do have air raid sirens, but they simply don’t work.

Rather irresponsible of the Israeli government, wouldn’t you say, letting them go into disrepair?

Irresponsible, only if you ignore why they don’t work.

You see, the Arabs in all these towns and villages complained that they did not want to hear the sounds of the National air raid sirens when we sounded them for Memorial Day or Yom HaShoah. They found it offensive that they were forced to hear our commemorations for our dead – something they don’t and won’t mourn.

So many years ago, a decision was made, after the Arabs complained enough, to simply remove their connection to the national air raid siren system. Exactly what they asked for.

And they probably even thought, no one will attack our town anyway, so who needs it.

Suddenly as missiles unexpectedly fall on their heads, they actually blame Israel for their not being connected.

Now that’s the definition of Chutzpah.