I
think the very first topic I should talk about right now is Israeli
politics. For those that don't know, I am an American/Israeli. I have dual citizenship. I haven't blogged in quite a few months. In fact, not since
back in June of this year. It is now late October. Lots has gone on in
my personal life since then, so my apologies in not putting out
anything new in the intervening months.
Now, on to the topic at hand: Israeli Snap Elections.
While the American election season is all the news in America, and abroad...for Jews and Christians anyway, news of general elections in Israel is BIG NEWS. It's about freaking time for those elections, in my opinion. When it is widely known that
the general Israeli public is disheartened by the road Kadima has led
the nation down, it would have been a tragedy if Prime Minister Livni
had been able to form a majority government. The reasons for her
failure to form such a majority coalition is due to her refusal to
grant the Ultra-Orthodox party Shas, its demands for increased family
allowances, and a guarantee that the future of east Jerusalem would not be negotiated in peace talks with the Palestinians.
While I have often criticized Shas for its blatant corruption and
greed...(and hypocrisy)allin the name of furthering Torah study...I am
pleased with their stance on East Jerusalem. I have viewed the ultra
left-wing, extremist views held by the leaders of Kadima (and yes, I
know that Sharon was a former Likudnik!) such as Olmert and Livni, to
be nothing short of traitorous to the Jewish State.
Shas's motives might not be in the right place, but the end result is still the same.
Forcing Livni to call for early elections now, is the right thing for
Israel. The way the Israeli political system is set up, while it IS a
democracy, is not truly a representative democracy. All too often, the
average Israeli voter is disenfranchised, and the political party rules
supreme. The voter votes for the party rather than for the
individual...and the party decides which internal members rise to the
top.
If this is the way it must be until some courageous Israeli politician
pushes for a fundamental change...one that WOULD make the system more
representative of the people..early elections will, at a bare
minimum...bring the Likud back to power.
At a time when it seems even President Bush is willing to bargain with
Bashir al Assad, utilizing the Golan Heights and the complicity of the
Kadima party as his bargaining chips, (for those that don't know, the
Golan Heights is strategic land that belongs to Israel, and the USA
should have no right to offer it to anyone, anywhere, in any way, shape
or form)...it seems to me that it is high time for an Israeli leader to
come to power that has the strength to cut America's leash...say thanks
for being an ally...(but really...BE an Ally! And stop telling us what to do!)...and to do what is right for Israel as a nation...and what is right for the Jews.
Just remember to tell Bibi: We the people of Israel cannot afford another set of Oslo Accords....