Loyalty and the Political Expectation
The political expectation to be Zionist lest your loyalty to the State of Israel be questioned escapes me. Zionist political parties declare it will be a condition required of their coalition partners in the next government.
If an Arab political party in Israel acknowledges the right of Israel to exist, and is committed to shared society, views this land as one that can be shared by two peoples, if their conflicted identity and narrative can generate bridges to peaceful existence with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, you would have to convince me of some other reason for them to be excluded from a government coalition in Israel.
Zionist political parties demanding their coalition partners be Zionist perpetuate a message of supremacy and separation that inhibits shared society. They legitimate discriminatory public discourse. I hear it.
Zionist political parties aim to exclude Haredi (ultra-Orthodox Jewish), parties rejecting Zionism too. Current discourse justifies this exclusion due to Haredi politicians’ and their constituents’ refusal to serve in the army, not to mention their educational institutions noncompliant with Ministry of Education core curriculum standards. But the current government includes them, accommodating their political demands as a means to keep the government intact.
To keep the government responsible for October 7 in power.
Immediately after October 7, Finance Minister Smotrich commented on government responsibility, foreseeing resignation, the obvious under such circumstances until that time. He apparently spoke before Prime Minister Netanyahu provided government talking points to keep the government intact. Providing Netanyahu justification amidst war to postpone court appearances in cases against him. Intensified polarization – byproduct. Intentional. And inhibiting healing.
Meanwhile, this week, Smotrich says forming a government coalition with MK Mansour Abbas (United Arab List) is a thousand times worse than our failures on October 7. At least MK Gilad Kariv (Democrats Party) boldly responded: Jewish-Arab political partnership is in the existential interest of Israeli society – those who object, intentionally or not, back Kahanism.
Abbas and party proved valuable representatives of a large minority in Israel in the previous government. Then, Bennett and Lapid formed a coalition and included Abbas after Netanyahu’s attempt at same failed. When Bennett and Lapid held a press conference announcing their new united party for the next elections, they were explicit about only including Zionist parties in a coalition. Politicians may act differently when reality kicks in, but their words are designing reality.
Unions of opposition parties in anticipation of the upcoming elections are strategically aimed at enabling them to ensure change in the next government. Reclaiming liberal democracy for Zionists only?
Zionism defines party loyalty to the State of Israel? A government disenabling terrorism perpetrated by Jews against Palestinians in the West Bank, and violence against Christians in Jerusalem, Haifa, or southern Lebanon – that’s a loyalty test.
