At 77, Israel conducts itself like a petulant child

What do the still-burning forest fires and the recently deceased pope have in common? Within a week, both proved – if such proof were necessary – the infantilism with which Israel conducts itself. I use the world literally, meaning it behaves like an infant, with “peek-a-boo” and petulance as its guiding principles.

In addition to general alerts which have been sounded for years, especially since the fatal Carmel fire in 2010, Israel’s Meteorological Service issued specific warnings five days before the current outbreak, and repeated them the day before the conflagration. Yet by-and-large, the relevant bodies waited until flames were spreading before they took action. Like toddlers playing “peek-a-boo”, they acted as though covering their eyes will make reality disappear.

Children soon outgrow this developmental stage. But given its apathy towards major issues (like the growth of the ultra-Orthodox sector and its inevitable consequences on the country’s viability), it appears that Israel is developmentally challenged.

Or, take Israel’s conduct around the pope’s death, where gut reactions replaced experience and common sense, starting with message which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued on X following the Pontiff’s death, and soon deleted.

Anyone who has misdirected a communication, maybe even sent it to the person who was discussed therein (who hasn’t?), is grateful that deleting is possible. But the message read “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing”. The official explanation for expunging it was that it was issued mistakenly. In addition to his spiritual status among 1.4 billion Catholics, the deceased was the head of a state, the Vatican, with which Israel has full diplomatic relations. What could the mistake possibly be? Should he not rest in peace?

It was soon put out that while he did indeed meet hostage families, he was also highly critical about Israel’s conduct in the war. Let us assume that he was as critical as Ireland, the country where last December, our foreign minister closed our embassy in favor of opening one in Moldova. Or Spain, whence our ambassador was recalled.

Who was familiar with papal criticism before the Twitter Tempest? Catholics who are interested in his political positions, some diplomats, a few others. Who knows all about it now? Google three words – pope, dead, Israel – and you will see hundreds of articles which prove how a deleted tweet and the decision not to send anyone senior from Israel to the funeral, provided the late pontiff’s critical comments with an unexpected international sound box.

Moreover, funerals like that are unique gatherings. Many world leaders, more than a hundred in this case, gather at short notice and can meet without the need for advance scheduling or other contraints of protocol. For an increasingly isolated country, this could be an opportunity both to show that it is still a member of the family of nations and to explain its actions to senior participants. Israel was represented by our ambassador there. Which VIP’s did he speak to?

Alas, instead of logic and long-term planning, Israel enters its 77^th year with the self-awareness of a baby (when I cover my eyes, no one can see me), the obstinacy of a terrible-two (“No!!!”) the insularity of a four-year old (“Only me!” “By myself!”) and the petulance of a teenager (“Don’t tell me what to do!”). Let us hope that it matures soon, before it is too late.