I spent six months in 1998 in Israel and traveled extensively throughout the country. I could go on for many paragraphs about what I think about the current problems. When I was there, I met many Israelis and Palestinians of many religious beliefs. One thing all of them agreed upon was that if Bibi gained power, there would be war between Palestine and Israel. Another observation. Why hasn't the IDF attacked the West Bank? Isn't Hamas there also? Answer: Bethlehem is in the West Bank! Imagine if the IDF dropped a bomb on the Church of the Nativity. The whole Christian world would condemn this and then support an end to the war and be against Israel! What do you think about this?
Israel has attacked Hamas strongholds, but the PA has helped keep places like Bethlehem calm. But yes, they would not drop bombs anywhere near the Church of the Nativity.
I am incensed at what is happening to the Palestinians. When I was there, it was generally peaceful with an occasional bomb going off to protest the settlers taking Palestinian lands and kicking them out of their homes. No effort was made to stop this injustice, which only infuriated the Palestinians. Most Israeli citizens I talked with disagreed with this practice. We did have to leave before my contract was over (I was a musical director on a cruise ship) because scud missiles were being fired at Israel from Iraq! The politics of this time were very complicated, just like now. Your article helped a bit, but most people do not understand. A side note: I was working on my novel this morning before I read your article, and I mentioned the Poseidon Adventure movie and the song "The Morning After" in a paragraph. Are we psychically connected somehow or just two old farts that remember movies from our youth!
It’s always easiest to dream, so if that gives you comfort, enjoy it. Unfortunately, the numbers don’t work. You are hoping the 25-30 Hareidi seats will no longer be kingmakers and the 15 Religious Zionist seats also be excluded. Add 20-25 right wing Likud seats controlled by Bibi, who will be in your government? Bennet lied to his constituents and allowed the Arab parties to join his coalition; that won’t happen post Oct 7, and any right of center party will not join with Yair Golan who called IDF soldiers baby killers. He put himself out of the Machaneh.
Unfortunately, I believe that we are in for another round of multiple election with no clear camp claiming the Prime Minister seat. The right will continue to rule.
My dream is that Bibi will be smart enough to sit the next election out, (I’m fine with him retiring to Miami) and new, young leadership emerge; leaders from the War who will bring new ideas and vision to the Jewish people all over the globe
My dream includes the Chareidim participating in national service, the biggest problem I perceive in Israel today. I also dream of mass Aliya from the US, not only from the Orthodox community but from all of what’s left of American Jewry
My dreams are really fantasies, because I know it’s impossible
BTW, no one is bringing back the secular anti Zionist pro Gaza progressive Jews. They are lost in the heap of former Jews who got lost over the centuries to communism, socialism, Bundism and nationalism of their particular country. These Zerah Yisrael reappear as Bernie Sanders and George Soros who give fodder to our enemies.
Mass Aliyah wont happen unless America becomes an unfriendly haven for Jews. Not impossible. I get your demographics but think you are underestimating the earthquake of the past three years, including the judicial coup. And you may be underestimating the disgust - even on the right - toward Ben Gvir and Smotrich. So I don’t think the next elections will be like the last one. But you could absolutely be right. If Bibi were to sit this one out (from your mouth to Gods ears) possibly as a plea bargain, all bets are off. He, like Trump, has a cult of followers that might not turn out for the next guy. Thanks for commenting.
I can´t resist. `Love it! Especially the end 😍! Seriously though, I think it was on Lawrence
O´Donnell´s show where it was stated last night that "Optimism is the true moral courage!"
Hope based upon possibilities. May the good come to pass. Thank you for this lengthy, at times humorous (as always) and encouraging posting.
I spent six months in 1998 in Israel and traveled extensively throughout the country. I could go on for many paragraphs about what I think about the current problems. When I was there, I met many Israelis and Palestinians of many religious beliefs. One thing all of them agreed upon was that if Bibi gained power, there would be war between Palestine and Israel. Another observation. Why hasn't the IDF attacked the West Bank? Isn't Hamas there also? Answer: Bethlehem is in the West Bank! Imagine if the IDF dropped a bomb on the Church of the Nativity. The whole Christian world would condemn this and then support an end to the war and be against Israel! What do you think about this?
Israel has attacked Hamas strongholds, but the PA has helped keep places like Bethlehem calm. But yes, they would not drop bombs anywhere near the Church of the Nativity.
I am incensed at what is happening to the Palestinians. When I was there, it was generally peaceful with an occasional bomb going off to protest the settlers taking Palestinian lands and kicking them out of their homes. No effort was made to stop this injustice, which only infuriated the Palestinians. Most Israeli citizens I talked with disagreed with this practice. We did have to leave before my contract was over (I was a musical director on a cruise ship) because scud missiles were being fired at Israel from Iraq! The politics of this time were very complicated, just like now. Your article helped a bit, but most people do not understand. A side note: I was working on my novel this morning before I read your article, and I mentioned the Poseidon Adventure movie and the song "The Morning After" in a paragraph. Are we psychically connected somehow or just two old farts that remember movies from our youth!
It’s always easiest to dream, so if that gives you comfort, enjoy it. Unfortunately, the numbers don’t work. You are hoping the 25-30 Hareidi seats will no longer be kingmakers and the 15 Religious Zionist seats also be excluded. Add 20-25 right wing Likud seats controlled by Bibi, who will be in your government? Bennet lied to his constituents and allowed the Arab parties to join his coalition; that won’t happen post Oct 7, and any right of center party will not join with Yair Golan who called IDF soldiers baby killers. He put himself out of the Machaneh.
Unfortunately, I believe that we are in for another round of multiple election with no clear camp claiming the Prime Minister seat. The right will continue to rule.
My dream is that Bibi will be smart enough to sit the next election out, (I’m fine with him retiring to Miami) and new, young leadership emerge; leaders from the War who will bring new ideas and vision to the Jewish people all over the globe
My dream includes the Chareidim participating in national service, the biggest problem I perceive in Israel today. I also dream of mass Aliya from the US, not only from the Orthodox community but from all of what’s left of American Jewry
My dreams are really fantasies, because I know it’s impossible
BTW, no one is bringing back the secular anti Zionist pro Gaza progressive Jews. They are lost in the heap of former Jews who got lost over the centuries to communism, socialism, Bundism and nationalism of their particular country. These Zerah Yisrael reappear as Bernie Sanders and George Soros who give fodder to our enemies.
Mass Aliyah wont happen unless America becomes an unfriendly haven for Jews. Not impossible. I get your demographics but think you are underestimating the earthquake of the past three years, including the judicial coup. And you may be underestimating the disgust - even on the right - toward Ben Gvir and Smotrich. So I don’t think the next elections will be like the last one. But you could absolutely be right. If Bibi were to sit this one out (from your mouth to Gods ears) possibly as a plea bargain, all bets are off. He, like Trump, has a cult of followers that might not turn out for the next guy. Thanks for commenting.
Tracht gut vet zein gut. 🤞🏽😳✡️