J’accuse…!

On the night of February 17, 2024, I, like many of my compatriots, bore witness to an act that resonated deeply with my understanding of leadership and responsibility. The Prime Minister of Israel, in a show of defiance that has become symbolic of his tenure, demanded the press investigate the financiers behind a campaign that dared to directly point at him, declaring him responsible for the catastrophic errors made during the Hamas attack on October 7 of the previous year. The charge? Incompetence, omission, or perhaps a combination of both. For me, there is no doubt about who is responsible. To claim otherwise would be, at best, irresponsible.

Echoing the spirit of Émile Zola’s famed open letter “J’accuse…!” published on January 13, 1898, in the newspaper L’Aurore, where he accused the French government of antisemitism and the unlawful jailing of Alfred Dreyfus, I accuse Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right group of being the sole architects of the failures that led to the pogrom on October 7 last year. Zola’s courageous stand against injustice and his unyielding demand for accountability from the leaders of his time mirror the imperative call I make today against those at the helm of our nation.

The campaign, initiated by veterans of the Yom Kippur War, is not just a critique; it is a mirror reflecting the failure of a leader in his most fundamental duty: the protection of his citizens. The immediate response from the population, translated into an unprecedented flow of donations, is irrefutable evidence of widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration, especially its inability to ensure our security — the pillar upon which our nation stands.

I view this episode as a turning point, a moment of clarity amidst the political and ideological confusion that has characterized Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. The far-right extremism, which has been not just tolerated but nurtured by him and his inner circle, poses a threat not just to security but to the very essence of our democracy. The insistence on questioning the campaign financiers, rather than reflecting on the criticisms raised, is an attempt to divert attention from the real issues at play.

As an Israeli, I feel that the security of our nation and the protection of our people must be the top priority of any leader. The failure to prevent the Hamas attack, followed by the attempt to silence critical voices, reveals a leadership not up to the task. If there is a chain of command, and the number one in that chain is the Prime Minister, then he is, indeed, the most responsible. Period.

The responsibility of a leader is immense, especially in times of crisis. It requires not just operational competence but a clear vision, an unwavering commitment to the security of the people, and the ability to unite the nation rather than divide it. The community’s response to the veterans of the Yom Kippur War and their campaign is not just a rejection of the current administration; it is a call for authentic leadership, one that understands the responsibilities inherent in the position and that is committed, above all, to the well-being of the citizens of Israel.