JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Even as the judicial reform legislation continues to meander through the Knesset’s committees, it is possible to eulogize it already before it reaches the plenum. It may pass at some stage and in some manner but will not be anything close to what was envisaged by its initiators.
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The most right-wing government in Israel’s history took power at a time when the left was reeling, weakened and nursing its wounds. The government was fooled into believing that it could do whatever it pleased with the Israeli public, without realizing the huge power held by the media, the hi-tech moguls and the judiciary.
Not even taking a moment to allow ministers to establish themselves in their respective ministries, the justice minister immediately announced the sweeping reforms, effectively rubbing salt into the wounds of the losing parties. However at the same time, the anti-government elements were galvanized into action and joined by the anti-reform elements and the anti-chaos elements. All of these elements crystallized into huge demonstrations, the like of which have not been seen since the Oslo accords. Even then, the demonstrations and the public outcry eventually caused the assassination of Yitzchak Rabin and the change of government. The current demonstrations could lead to the fall of the government much sooner.
Netanyahu is now caught between his voters, who feel betrayed and deceived by the weakness of the government, and the huge outrage directed both at him and at the government by the powerful elite, including the Histadrut which declared a general strike, the military veterans who announced that they would not continue to serve and even Netanyahu’s personal lawyer who said that he would not represent him if the reforms continue.
Even within his government Netanyahu is torn. On the one hand Yariv Levin and Itamar Ben-Gvir threaten to resign if he does not continue, while his defense minister defied him publicly and said he would not support the reforms in the current security situation, terrifying Israelis who are so sensitive to their security concerns.
The right thing to do in such a situation is to stop. Calm down. Not necessarily relinquish any positions but to act judiciously, prudently, to allow Israel’s 75th anniversary to be celebrated without the acrimony of the past few months. This is the only option which will enable the deeply divided country to lick its wounds and regain some composure.
HaShem runs the world. I suspect this opinion piece was not written by one of the gedolim, so the conclusion as to what is the “right thing to do” is that of the anonymous author.
This is a sensible approach. A compromise is the best solution.
Nothing to celebrate. Why on earth would any sane person celebrate 75 years of an elitist run dictatorship?
Good Article. I would add that the opposition to Netanyahu should not be depicted, even indirectly, as bad. Terms like “elites” etc are loaded and suggest something sinister. As the author pointed out, Netanyanu acted as if he can do whatever he wants without regard for any other opinions. That is not democracy either.
It’s such a shame that they have no idea how good this would be for the country. They are so stuck in their leftist ways that they can’t think. It’s unfortunately, something that’s good with the leftist. They can’t think.
There’s absolutely no reason that a bureaucrat should have more power than an elected official. Just look what happened after netanyahu fired the defense minister. The defense ministers threatened to go to the judges. If they are a true democracy like they claim they are, that’s not how it works.
I think they need to among other things, come up with a better strategy. It has to be explained better. Ones that want to act like animals in protest, will act like animals and protest anyway. Hopefully they can pick off some sane ones with some real normal talking to.
I couldn’t disagree more. This caving in will only further embolden the leftist scum to create more anarchy through out the land of Israel!
Weak atheist bibi
First of all, Reb Bibi is Maamin beHKB”H; so don’t expect him to cave so easily, even if he takes a break.
Second of all, expect him to refine his strategy and come back with only further improvements to the plan of action.