There is something rotten in the State of Israel.
Those who follow my rants and raves will note that save for a review of a Sharm El Sheik hotel, my last post was back in March this year. Somewhat disconcerting.
The fault is entirely mine.
I can claim writer's block, which to a degree is valid as I have tried perhaps half a dozen times to write. The results have always been bosh and I deleted the text.
Upfront, I am not happy with this offering, but rather like falling off a bicycle, it's time to climb back on and start peddling again.
The other driving reason for my lack of content has been my withdrawal from what is happening around me. I have withdrawn in my cacoon, insulating myself from the madness around me. In other words, I have further become a grumpy old man, with a detachment from Netanyahu and his Band of Clowns.
I mentioned this withdrawal to a friend over lunch recently. The response was that I had not hidden away in a cacoon but rather withdrawn myself to a private ghetto. The notion revolted me however, on reflection, the point was well made.
So to emerge from my ‘ghetto’ I have started when possible to attend the Saturday evening rallies against Netanyahu and his Band of Clowns.
This past Saturday evening - while listening to Nachman Shai, an Israeli journalist, and politician who served as Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs in the last government and previously served as a member of the Knesset and its Deputy Speaker, as well as IDF spokesman – two thoughts, rattled around in my head.
Martin Luther King (and others) well used the phrase "We shall overcome" from the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.
And yes, before I am taken to task, I am aware that the phrase itself has a rich history and was used as a theme in various civil rights protests and movements before MLK adopted it.
For history buffs, one of the notable instances when MLK prominently used the phrase was during the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.
The phrase "we shall overcome" has encapsulated the spirit of the US civil rights movement and the belief in the ultimate triumph over (racial) injustice and discrimination, and the broader struggle for civil rights.
We, the people of Israel "shall overcome", and ensure that despite Netanyahu and his Band of Clowns, the country will remain a democratic, liberal learning society for all its citizens regardless of their ethnic groupings or political viewpoint.
The other phrase or should I say the word that rattled around in my head was the word ‘victory’.
Winston Churchill is associated with the phrase "victory at all costs.". The quote however is a popular paraphrase of Churchill's speech delivered to the House of Commons on May 13, 1940.
During that speech, Churchill said, "I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat." It is from this speech that the sentiment of "victory at all costs" is derived, although the actual phrase was not used. Churchill's words were a rallying call to the British people, expressing his determination to achieve victory against Nazi Germany, regardless of the sacrifices required.
The phrase "victory at all costs" has become synonymous with Churchill's unwavering resolve during World War II.
Although I am not drawing a direct parallel between the circumstances of 1940 and the current situation in Israel, it is undeniable that the expression "victory at all costs" ought to serve as an inspiring call to action for the concerned citizens of Israel.
Free speech is still alive and well in Israel, thank goodness. Although many will argue that there needs to be control over all forms of free speech and thought. In other words censorship by ‘big brother’.
This point was driven home to me a few days ago while watching a documentary on Franco’s victory in Spain in the late 1930s when his Nationalist army defeated the Republicans. Martial Law was immediately imposed, and meetings of more than three people were outlawed, together with a range of other directives. Could it happen in Israel? Most certainly given the ultra-nationalist that Netanyahu has surrounded himself with and appears to be happy to let them destroy the fabric of Israel.
Is a civil war in Israel on the horizon? The consensus is currently no, but that could easily change in the coming months.
The view of a former IAF officer is telling.
"Former IDF fighter pilot: I am very afraid of an Israeli civil war”
“In an interview, he said that "if a situation comes where there is a dictatorship, we will have no choice and we will have to fight the dictators."
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-745458
A frightening scenario and yet one that may just come true.
Meanwhile, free speech is still allowed.
Veteran journalist and former IDF spokesman, Oded Ben-Ami, recently summed up the feelings of many in Israel.
“Oded Ben-Ami describes how Israel is sinking into the abyss”
“Oded Ben-Ami opened his show with a monologue that illustrated the terrible state of Israeli society.”
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-743022
His delivery was, as you would expect, word-perfect, succulent, and on target. Regretfully, his effort was in vain. However, it will hopefully spur others in the mainstream media to speak out and shame this government.
Someone who did, expressing the feelings of millions of Israeli citizens was Galit Gutman. She later, made up pressure from her TV station bosses withdrew her remarks.
“TV host slammed for calling Haredim ‘bloodsuckers’ during panel on state budget”
“Galit Gutman issues apology after facing widespread criticism for accusing right-religious coalition of ‘simply milking its citizens’”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/tv-host-slammed-for-calling-haredim-bloodsuckers-during-panel-on-state-budget/
Despite her apology, her remarks hit home and accurately describe how the majority of Haredim in Israel are viewed.
Unlike Haredim in the UK, US, and other countries, Haredim in Israel demands that secular Israel respect totally their lifestyle, and further expect that the Israeli government subsidizes their way of life. Meanwhile, the majority contribute zero to the economy of Israel and the social fabric of the country.
So yes, it is understandable that the terms bloodsuckers, parasites, and scroungers are used to describe the Haredim in Israel. And the situation will only get worse in the coming years.
Iran and the various Arab terrorist groups that seek the destruction of Israel need only to be patient, the writing is on the wall.
It is worth noting that the Haredi population in Israel has been growing at a faster rate compared to other segments of the Israeli population in recent years. The Haredim have larger families and higher birth rates. If this trend continues, and there is no reason to suspect that it will not, the Haredi population may continue to increase in the coming years and by 2040 account for 25% of the population, and as such continue their march to dominate the country.
By 2050, it is projected that 1/3 of all Israeli Jews will be Haredi.
And with their increasing numbers and dominance, a new form of apartheid will appear in Israel. This will not be the racial segregation of old but rather secular Israelis treated as second-class citizens. The question is which way is the middle of the road observant Jews who are not Haredi going to jump?
And the blame for this lies with Netanyahu and his unquenchable thirst for absolute power.
No wonder at Saturday evening rallies across the country the Hebrew word “boshe” shame is regularly roared out.
It’s no wonder that someone from Jerusalem allowed his mouth or in this case, his hands, to run away with his black thoughts.
I do not for one millisecond support this notion, the very idea is abhorrent to me. And yet, given the dire situation in Israel, I can understand why some people express themselves in this most dangerous fashion.
Vito Corleone (The Godfather) remarked “Never let anyone know what you are thinking”. Good advice.
“Man detained for inciting against Netanyahu online: ‘He’ll end under the guillotine’”
“Suspect from Jerusalem taken in for questioning over social media posts that called to ‘rebel’ against PM and said he’ll soon ‘be in a coffin’”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-detained-for-inciting-against-netanyahu-online-hell-end-under-the-guillotine/
For the fallen heroes of Israel not to be forgotten, we MUST be their voice and continue to show Netanyahu and his Band of Clowns that we the people of this great country do not accept him as our benevolent dictator.