He has no idea that refugee camps have no showers and that, in the absence of toilets, people are forced to crouch over holes in the ground, their naked parts barely protected by low canvas screens. Arms extend into the central aisle during takeoff, imitating the surge and glide of wings. For some of the Kosovars, the flight is their first ever. Until two weeks ago, Hassani owned two gold jewelry shops and three small cars. The plane's intercom is used to make emotional speeches about the peace and dignity Kosovars will recover in Israel.
Lunch is an introduction to Middle Eastern food, with hummus and baklava.
There is Israeli folk music, mandatory clapping. Jewish Agency workers distribute bright white T-shirts and baseball caps bearing the star of David and sing, while Miss Israel pretends to sleep under her black sunglasses. The crew runs up and down the center aisle, plying the refugees with sponge cake until they cry uncle. And the plane, finally, touches down at Ben Gurion airport. Now Miss Israel wears her prettiest smile, walking down the rolling staircase as if it were a fashion runway.