Rivalry over hummus

An emotive issue

A good-humoured war over food

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Readers' comments



kadisha wrote:

'Kidnapping food, is just as concurring land.. So let s be prudent on this issue. Thank you.'

Actually this is how the United Kingdom became such a vast empire: they were in search of a decent cuisine…;-)


@ JimfromOttawa

'Jews ARE Arabs.'

Be careful, Jim. Many Muslims refer to phrases in the Quran that relates to the Jews as the sons of pigs and apes. Tell such an Arab with such Muslim convictions that Jews ARE Arabs, and you're in deep trouble…


I don't see this distinction between the cuisines of Israelis and Arabs. These are two branches of the same Semitic people, descended from common ancestors. Jews ARE Arabs.


Their coffee's are nasty though, they usually taste like tobacco. No wonder why they give you a tiny cup and a couple of drops of coffee!

Like I was saying...

Might as well throw in the coffee, a great contribution to the world from the region.

Turkish Coffee, Greek Coffee, Arab Coffee, Israeli Coffee(?), all the same. Well, some Arabs like to mix in cardamons, I think.


Graeme, a lot of the Israeli Arabs do call themselves Palestinians.

Either way, great article. Middle Eastern countries can be united by food. . . well for the most part. I know Greece isn't in the Middle East but I've called grape leaves to Turks by the Greek name and I've also used the Turkish name to Greeks. The food is exactly the same, yet neither were happy campers with me because I used the wrong name for their foods.

Same thing with other nationalistic countries in the Middle East. They are a little too sensitive over the things we can't even tell there's a difference in.

Like I was saying...

What a relief to read such a piece on the Middle East.

Btw, the contest over hummus only highlights the fact that both Israelis and Arabs are Semitic people originating from the same region speaking related languages, no?


Dear Kadisha, "Israel, with all respect, is not yet a nation..". You probably know that all Israel's border neighbors except Jordan, became UN members before Israel, in 1945 and Jordan became a member six years after Israel joined the UN. What other UN members, apart from Israel, do you consider not nations?

El Toro Es Guapo

You guys can have all the Hummus you want, I'll stick to my Turkish Donairs, kebobs, coffee and delight! Hummus is what it is... an excellent appetizer!
Thank you Turks! Without your culinary contributions the world we would not have Greek restaurants!
(Humour my Greek friends! Lets not go off on "re-conquer Constantinople tirades!)

Brunel Library

My family name is Abu Al-hummus and we live in palestine before 1900. which indicat that hummus is for palestinan population


What the parties in the Middle East do, is sit over a bowl of Hummus, and discuss peace. They should sit down in the Damascus market, Beirut streets, and Jerusalem's allies. No preconditions. Just sit and talk.


What do these people have against baba ganoush (mutabel, for some - baked, mashed and seasoned aubergine)?

I prefer it to hummus. Come to São Paulo and ask for it in any of the many little Syrian-Lebanese restaurants around.

Graeme A

Dear Economist
Facts sacrificed for the spin of an article? Is this good journalism?
Abu Ghosh is an Israeli Arab village - not Palestinian. This village has traditionally had very warm ties to Israeli Jews.


While pizza is Italian by its origin it has become 'world food'. The same goes for Hamburgers, without the citizens of Hamburg claiming exclusive rights.
Why should delicious hummus not be recognized as 'international fare'?


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