More than a quarter of a century ago, a rising Likud star was hailed by many as Israel’s JFK who would usher in Camalot to Israel.
And for a while, that was indeed the case.
Then Camalot began to tarnish. The early achievements were many. The socialism of the founding fathers was swept aside to be replaced by capitalism. And the country thrived anew.
Corruption, contempt, and nepotism in their various forms flourished. Elected officials forgot their promises to the people. Those closest to the plate reaped rewards by taking advantage of their exalted positions. The smell of the sleaze permeated all walks of life and social groups.
On the fourth time of trying the anyone but the BiBi movement succeeded in forming a government, albeit short-lived.
And now as the dust clears from Israel’s fifth election in 42 months, Benjamin Netanyahu is back.
There has been for many years speculation about Benjamin Netanyahu, and “her indoors”.
One version of the old adage states that “behind every successful man is a woman. Behind every successful woman is a dream she has dared to chase”.
Rather than “her indoors” or “she who must be obeyed” let’s simply call her “the puppet master”. She does not request, she commands, and people jump.
Leaving aside the “puppet master”, you have to have some sympathy for Benjamin Netanyahu. Well actually, I don’t know anyone who has any sympathy for the “crime Minister” and his predicament.
Directly or otherwise he created the monster that is Hydra.
For those whose Greek mythology is rusty, according to Hesiod, the Hydra was the offspring of Typhon and Echidna. It had poisonous breath and blood so virulent that even its scent was deadly. The Hydra possessed many heads, the exact number of which varies according to the source.
According to Greek mythology, a mythological serpent with many heads was slain by Hercules, as one of his Twelve Labors.
A few centuries later we have the fable of St. George slaying the dragon.
Reading the description of Hydra, “poisonous breath and blood so virulent that even its scent was deadly” I could not help but think of Smotrich, Ben Gvir, and Moaz, and their tentacles, a monster created by Netanyahu and now set to devour him.
Of course, there is zero sympathy for Netanyahu and the monstrous dragon he fashioned.
And in a twisted way, it would be his comeuppance if this Hydra devoured him.
Unfortunately, while it would be spectacular to witness, we, the good people of Israel would also suffer under the coke of this Hydra.
Maybe we need to advertise for a St. George to rescue us from this evil.
That said the power does rest with us.
Do we, the majority wish to be ruled by the minority?
Messers Smotrich, Ben Gvir, and Moaz, and their cohorts wave the flag of ultra-nationism which is repugnant to the majority of the citizens of Israel.
Just as “The Lincoln Project” last night issued a Call to Action to fight Trump’s 2024 election drive - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaWENGNb0Bo – so we in Israel must stand up and tell these fascists that their creed is not wanted in a secular, democratic Israel.