“I’m a Palestinian patriot whether you like it or not. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be Ahmad Tibi.” That’s how the Arab Knesset member who has spent fourteen years on the opposition benches of Israel’s parliament, describes himself in a special interview with Al-Monitor.

In some circles he is considered to be “Public Enemy Number Two” (after Knesset Member Haneen Zoabi), but it seems much more interesting to try and understand him than it is to reject him outright. Tibi, a politician with sharp instincts, eloquent Hebrew tinged with Yiddishisms, and a deep, almost intimate, understanding of Israeli society, knows how to enjoy a good provocation.

There is no other way to explain why he accepted the invitation from the Bar Ilan University Student Union to debate with Knesset member Aryeh Eldad (Otzma Leyisrael). Eldad is part of the most right-wing list on the Israeli political spectrum. To put things in the right perspective, imagine Tibi accepting an invitation to go to Teddy [soccer] Stadium to see Beitar Jerusalem F.C. play [whose supporters are known for their anti-Arab slogans].

But Tibi did show up.