CHRISTIAN ARAB GIRL WINS MUSIC CONTEST

The winner of The Voice singing contest is Lina Makhoul, a 19-year-old Christian Arab woman from Acre:

For those who believe Israel is a state that practices racism against its minorities, the choice should have been obvious. Of course the Jew would win! Those racist Israelis would never vote for an Arab!

How wrong such sentiments are, as proved on Saturday night, when Israelis voted overwhelmingly for Mahoul, who in turn played to her audience by performing a touching rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."

During her final performance, Mahoul's family and friends could be seen happily enjoying the moment surrounded by Jews. Again, not really a picture of apartheid.

I fully appreciate her victory, though I must admit, based on the offensive discrimination that was leveled against Ophir ben-Shetreet, I would also be happy if she were the winner. And she'd be deserving too. I hope she'll be able to try again and find better luck next time. For now, I congratulate Makhoul for her own win.