News from Israel by Carolyne Davis
from Israel this week is very sad and disturbing. Two explosive devices designed to cause maximum impact were left at a busy bus stop, just as you leave Jerusalem. Tragically, a young teenage boy lost his life and more than 10 people received really nasty injuries.
It is believed the terror cell behind these remotely detonated devices is located in East Jerusalem, so it is possible the perpetrators are actually Israeli citizens who live freely in the only democracy in the Middle East, benefitting from all the rights Israel bestows on her citizens, regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
These terror cells do not operate in a vacuum, but are supported financially by those countries outside of Israel that continue to send money that is misdirected, and used for the “pay to slay” policies of the Palestinian Authority.
Similarily, the European NGO’s that are allowed to operate even though it is known that they aid and abet the terror and the very stupid people around the world that buy into the propaganda that Israel is an apartheid state killing Palestinian children, when the opposite is true.
David Baddiel’s BBC programme this week really didn’t do Israel any favours, when he allowed Miriam Margolyes to say that anti semitism in the UK is caused by the creation of the Jewish State after he himself declared that Israel does “bad things”.
Of course, Israel has to do unsavoury things to safe guard its citizens, when even children at a bus stop are not safe from being blown up. Baddiel seemed to say that Israel is not entitled to defend herself and her children and Margolyes seems to have forgotten the centuries of anti semitism that cumulated in the Holocaust. As if there were no pogroms, no Inquisition, no Dreyfus, no Kristallnacht. What an ignorant and wicked woman to go on TV and feed the anti Israel haters and try to legitimise the hate.
One wonders just how kind and gently other countries would feel towards their enemies and those harbouring the said enemies if their kids were never safe from terror and had endured so many years of attacks.
The world may wring its hands in horror at the recent election results where hard liners have won support, but a tiger backed into a corner will eventually roar and fight back. The days of passively accepting terror must be over, despite pressure from Israel’s friends, who would prefer that we die quietly and give up territory that would make it easy to attack the country and take away Israel’s defences.
No mother in Israel wants to send her son or daughter to the army but there Is no choice, lest we just roll over and go back to a Jew hating Europe where history tells us we will be slaughtered again and made the scape goat.
“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us ,do we not laugh ? If you poison us, do we not die ? And if you wrong us , do we not revenge ?” (William Shakespeare’s Shylock) .
Take note Baddiel and Margolyes, the self harm you do yourselves and all other diaspora Jews by denying Israel’s basic right to defend herself.
Shabbat Shalom
The speculation is over
So the speculation is over and the results are in: loud and clear.
As predicted Bibi’s Likud party won the lion’s share of the vote and will be forming the next government with the right wing block.
The centre/ left block did particularly badly, some say due to their dull campaign and because the 2 smallest left wing parties failed to merge, losing vital votes and one did not even cross the electoral threshold.
With Bennet bailing out politics for the moment, after having abandoned his right wing supporters by forming a centre left coalition, most of his votes went back home to the Bibi camp and some to the far right parties.
The violence on the streets and recently was demonstrated in attacks on soldiers also drove many voters right, as Bibi has always maintained that only he can keep us safe. Sadly, lately it has been looking true.
It is not clear if the increase in attacks were generated to push the electorate to the right, as the newly formed government with its tougher security policies will garner less support from the left wing US administration, while the anti Israel EU and UN will be glad to justify their resolutions against Israel and blame the new government.
Many centralist and left wing Israelis are sitting with their hands their heads weeping, while the more religious, and the settler communities are delighted. Such is democracy.
The greatest fear comes from the influence that Ben Gvir’s party will weld over Bibi. Previously, we only had to worry about the Charedi parties demanding money for their projections, in return for propping up the government. This newly formed Religious Zionism, however, has deeply held right wing political views. We must wait and see which ministries Ben Gvir and Smotrich are offered and how it will effect the running of the country.
The most worrying proposals are changes to the judiciary system, but they are long and complicated so here is a link explaining:
The last government didn’t address any of these changes for fear they may have been beneficial to Netanyahu and his upcoming trial as he is accused of Breach of Trust, which is not a tangible crime and difficult to identify and prosecute. It is very hard to prove using the usual onus of proof relating to a criminal charge.
Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount is a much divided debate: Even the Rabbi’s cannot agree if even entering the Temple Mount, (the holiest site in Jewish Religion) is allowed), and while it is administered by the Jordanians it is a dangerous place for Jews to pray or enter.
It is rather premature for other countries to declare they will not deal with this new administration, which some in Biden’s administration have already suggested, as it is democratically elected, and as yet nothing untoward has occurred.
It should be noted that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and the cries of the anti-Bibi camp, citing Bibi was “destroying democracy” were proved totally spurious, when he stepped down and allowed the last government to rule until they collapsed.
Netanyahu’s new government should be more cohesive and stable, than the previously coalition, that was cobbled together from many different factions, so will be at less risk of collapsing quickly.
There are some very important issues to be addressed in Israel.
Security always remains at the forefront and internal challenges are increasing.
Of courses, the threats from a nuclear Iran remain a real and current concern.
The rise of crime in the Arab sectors which is on the increase.
Israel is not exempt from the cost of living crisis that is hitting the world ,and the economy is very much on people’s minds as prices rise and rise and housing in the centre has become unaffordable.
It is imperative that the Abraham Accords remains intact and we reach out to other neighbouring countries in peace. The newly thrashed out maritime oil deal with Lebanon will probably not be torn up as promised by Bibi in his campaigning . It can only bring more prosperity to Israel, even if it does benefit Hezbollah.
It is unlikely that this government will move an inch on concessions to the Palestinians, which will anger western powers. They are more likely to put Israel’s security first and foremost as sadly, historically every concession granted , has been met by violence, intifadas and broken promises on the part of the Arabs. Until the PA has a new leader, who is prepared to talk in a sensible manner and look for a long term peace process, very little will change. Gaza remains Gaza and nothing can change until Hamas are overturned by the people or the Egyptians absorb the area. A weaker Iran will help to bring both Hamas and Hezbollah down,
It is likely the settlements in the West Bank will be expanded to provide for the extra infrastructure needed for the growing population.
Transport on Shabbat is likely to see little light of day, as there are so many religious parties in the new government.
The shared burden that Lapid introduced will also probably be put on the back burner.
The fears of a religious theocracy emerging in Israel can also be put away, as Bibi is not in favour of the country becoming extremist and he is clever and crafty politician, who will control those who make up his government.
The prospect of a Republican victory in the US will sit well with this government.
One Arab leader, (I forget who) commented that the elections result was like the difference between Pepsi and Coke. I agree, the taste will vary a bit , but in the end every government be it left or right only wants to preserve and guard , the Jewish State, keep it citizens safe and healthy with good education and housing , and hopefully bring a bit of wealth for the people to share. The rest is just background noise.
Shabbat Shalom