Just finished reading C.J. Sansom’s excellent tome, Sovereign.
The 660-page work deals with King Henry VIII’s 1541 spectacular visit, known as the ‘Progress’ to northern England, centering on the city of York.
Although I was not looking for comparisons, on completing the book, I became aware of many touchpoints between Henry and BiBi.
For example, both use, abuse, and discard individuals with a speed that some people change their underwear.
Unlike Henry, King BiBi has not, thus far been married six times, nor has he ordered the execution of two of his wives. Yet, leaving these two points aside, the characters and makeup of both men are so similar. Maybe this can be said of many driven individuals. Perhaps this is what separates them from the rest of the chaff.
Purely by coincidence, on the day I finished reading Sovereign, David Horovitch wrote and published an OP-ED piece in the Times of Israel.
“Netanyahu truly aims to be ‘King Bibi’ now. We must use all legal means to thwart him”
“Deaf to all warnings, convinced his and the state’s interests are identical, flanked by criminals, extremists and theocrats, he is hellbent on attaining near-unlimited power”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-truly-is-king-bibi-now-israelis-must-use-all-legal-means-to-thwart-him/
Regardless of whether or not you support Netanyahu, I urge you to read the piece. Further, I nearly always find the reader’s comment entertaining and often enlighting. Don’t miss them.
I’ve been taken to task (offline) by someone who did not like/agree with a recent post regarding the obnoxious Mr. Deri.
Putting politely, I don’t give a fig if someone agrees or disagrees with me. I write/post for my pleasure. My rants and raves are my way of dealing with this crazy world. And yes, it is not unknown for me to scream from the rooftops, ‘stop the world, I want to get off’.
I concede that I am at times, my own worst enemy. I don’t know when particularly in public when to shut up. On the other hand, there is still, at least for now, free speech in Israel. They may of course change soon.
Here are a couple of examples of my mouth getting me in trouble. It is worth remembering that even in the State of Tel Aviv, the Stasi are watching, listening, and ready to pounce. All that is missing are their Brown or Black-shirted thugs.
It is a fact that most of what we call “Arab” countries have long given up on the Palestinians; both those in Gaza and on the so-called “West Bank”.
They understand that the current Palestinian leadership in both enclaves does not want to reach a settlement and is in short sabotaging the future of their people. The region is far more concerned with Iran and its disabling stance, as well as its deep inroads in Syria, Lebanon, and many North African countries. Hence the backing of Israel – both in private and public – knowing that the USA has Israel’s back. These countries readily understand that the region is a powerhouse, readily able to challenge the industrial might of Europe, China, and the US. All that is required is stability. Stability will not come under the current Iranian leadership. We can anticipate further air raids by Israel into Syria, and I believe that will we see the US putting together a regional collation to add pressure on Iran. Hopefully, we are seeing history being written and the promise of better times to come.
Someone overheard me expressing the above to a friend and in public berated me, for what I am not sure of.
Likewise, I have been rebuked for making fun of a suggestion put forward by Shas to include the words ‘In God we trust’ on Israeli banknotes.
“Shas bill: Add ‘In God we trust’ to banknotes as ‘talisman for economic success’”
“Haredi MKs point to use of phrase on US dollar bills, say addition will be good luck charm for national finances; Liberman: ‘Interesting way to battle the cost of living’”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/shas-bill-proposes-adding-in-god-we-trust-to-banknotes/
It’s not clear if the phrase will be in Hebrew only or also in Arabic and English.
Avigdor Liberman’s reaction was priceless “an interesting way to battle the cost of living. What next? Will they ask to put a picture of Deri on each banknote?”
Commenting on the idea of the government introducing legislation to bar Arab/Muslims from the Knesset, also got me a lecture.
“Coalition said planning bill to ease disqualification of Arabs from Knesset”
Legislation would facilitate banning individuals from running for parliament if they express any support at all for terror or a terrorist, including visiting families of suspects”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-said-planning-bill-to-ease-disqualification-of-arabs-from-knesset/
The ‘lecture’ came about because I mentioned that at least one non-Muslim supported a so-called Arab party. Would he be excluded from a possible ban?
I also mentioned Ben Gvir, Smotrich, and Moaz who in the past expressed support for Jewish terror. Are they excluded?
This bill, should it pass is aimed at disenfranchising around 25% of Israeli citizens. In other words, ensuring that they are treated as second-class citizens further enhances the opinion held by many around the world that Israel is an apartheid state where the 75% rule/dominate the 25% minority.
To support my thoughts I quoted Martin Niemöller.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Think about it. First, it is Arab/Muslim MKs who dare to have a different viewpoint. Who is next? You, me?
Most certainly, anyone who supports terrorism in any form – Arab or Jewish – needs to be dealt with. But this is a slippery slope that soon starts to infringe on free thought and free speech.