لحظة ادراك

 

The Buffoon

The word Buffoon (بُهْلُول) with a damma on the bā (ب) is considered a contronym in Arabic, meaning it carries two opposing meanings. According to classical Arabic dictionaries, it once signified a great nobleman, but over time, it came to denote a fool whom people mock. The Al-Ma’ani Dictionary defines Buffoon as a noble leader possessing virtues of goodness, cheerfulness, and laughter, while also describing it as a fool, an imbecile, a madman. In colloquial speech, it is often pronounced Bahlūl with a fatḥa on the bā (ب), but the correct pronunciation is Buhlūl with a damma. Nevertheless, the intended meaning is usually clarified by the context in which it is used.

After a long wait and anticipation, the Buffoon of the 21st century finally emerges—Donald Trump. (It makes no difference whether his name is pronounced with a damma or a fatḥa in Arabic lexicons, for in some arts, madness has its own place. Clowning on the stage of American political theater has become a profession.) He drops a bombshell of his intentions as President of the United States—to control the Gaza Strip after emptying it of its original inhabitants, without establishing any Jewish settlements there. He said little about who the new inhabitants would be, leaving us to speculate:

• Would some of the original population be allowed back after a selective screening process?
• Did he mean businessmen and investors in the region’s gas fields?
• Or perhaps service providers for the canal planned to connect the shores of Gaza on the Mediterranean with Eilat on the Red Sea?
• Or maybe patrons of casinos and nudist beaches, modeled after Palm Beach and his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida?

With the time differences between the eastern and western shores of the Atlantic, the world struggled to contextualize the Buffoon’s late-night statements—made just hours past midnight Jerusalem time and midday in Washington. Should people laugh in accordance with the saying "misery’s greatest joke is itself"? Or weep at the sheer gravity of what they were hearing and witnessing? Even those who stood beside him during his press conference—having just emerged from a meeting with him—could not believe him. They settled for calling his ideas "interesting", while deep down, they were telling him: "Enough foolishness! True, you’ve granted me political support beyond my wildest dreams, but don’t make a bigger mockery of yourself. No one can take a single word you say seriously."

Amid their overwhelming joy, the fools in Israel hailed him as the new savior sent by the Lord to rescue them. His ideas were seen as a great gift to the Jewish people, a dream they wished never to wake up from. They longed to know the fine details and how to execute his vision. However, Benjamin Netanyahu would soon return from Washington, waking them up to the harsh reality—"Everything that happened was just a grand show, designed to extort and humiliate Arabs and Muslims for their failure to return the favor he expected after merely calling them."

Just as with the Greenland dream, the Panama Bay scheme, the Mexico wall, and Canada as the 51st state, all the hype and noise would ultimately boil down to border adjustments and increased security reinforcements at best. In a country addicted to theatrical performances and Hollywood-style storytelling, political survival depends on a blend of fantasy, drama, and suspense. Facts, history, and principles?—They are mere illusions, outdated and incompatible with the modern age. In a world sculpted to fit the minds of buffoons, nothing works better than these outlandish stunts and shock bombs aimed at causing a stir and extracting concessions.

The Buffoon presses forward at full speed, crafting dreams and illusions, while his aides scramble to cover up his blunders and missteps. They fabricate statements that never existed mere hours before, proving his own uncertainty about whether the ceasefire agreement would hold or not. Instead of admitting that Netanyahu told them he would not proceed with the truce, they claim the agreement is flawed and needs modifications.

• But why was it acceptable when it was initially approved?
• And why is it suddenly unworkable now?
• Was it only valid until the hostages were freed, and after that, not even worth a dollar?

For beyond that point, it would entail rebuilding Gaza, which would require opening border crossings, allowing construction materials in, and ending the extortion surrounding reconstruction efforts.

We do not know how many trillions have been set as the price for defusing his plastic bomb, nor do we know who the admirers of his idea—those he claims to represent—actually are. We hear nothing but global condemnation of his plan, except from his supporters in the United States. Even those working under him are now forced to invent parameters for his imaginary plan, which exists nowhere except in his own mind.

Is the Buffoon still waiting for approval from those he intends to relocate far away?

Benjamin Netanyahu will return to Israel empty-handed, carrying only a framed photo signed by the Buffoon, praising his great leadership—just like the countless bounced checks written in the language of fantasy. This may temporarily shield his government from collapse, or it may force Ben-Gvir back into obedience. But the war will rage on, with no guaranteed endings.

Netanyahu will return home with more questions than answers:

• What about the second phase of the ceasefire agreement?
• What about the day after the war?

Certainly, none of these answers will be found in the Buffoon’s reckless words to the world.