I don't really care, but he seems to (as do some other people). In my opinion, by the very definition of being a mayor in the State of Israel, or running for mayor, or being involved in politics and the running of the State, one is somewhat a Zionist.
Moshe Abutbol said last night, in his first election rally held with leaders and rabbis of the Shas party, that he does not understand why Eli Cohen says he (Abutbol) is not a Zionist - "I served in the army, and I pay taxes - just because I do not work in Mekorot like Eli Cohen does, that makes me not a Zionist?"
source: Kikar
No, that does not make Moshe Abutbol not a Zionist. What does make him not a Zionist, in case he has forgotten, is what he himself said in 2010 at the end of a riot that he helped stop..
To remind you, what I reported then based on reports in the local newspapers (which can be produced if someone wants to see the originals):
Abutbol held a press conference in which he explained the agreement achieved. While he was talking, some residents (from among the rioters) were nearby making noise trying to disturb. One of them called out "Masht"ap Tziyoni!" (Masht"ap is an acronym for Mishatef Peula - somebody who cooperates and collaborates, so they were accusing him of being a collaborator of the Zionists).Abutbol later said, "I can forgive them for the [verbal] abuses hurled at me and for not letting me speak. One thing I cannot forgive - that they called me a Zionist!"So, are you a Zionist or not? Just a few years ago it was the worst insult you could imagine, now you are claiming you are a Zionist.
I don't particularly care. I consider him a Zionist at least on some level. But I would like to get straight what he considers himself, since he makes a big deal of it (in both directions)..
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