Some by ballots and some by bullets

What have we learned from national leaders who were elected by ballots but who met their tragic deaths by bullets?

The Americans still mourn the assassination of a beloved president, John F. Kennedy. And Israelis can never forget nor forgive Yigal Amir’s dastardly assassination of prime minister Yitzchak Rabin.

Both leaders earned their elections by the ballots of the voters. And both leaders met their deaths by the bullets of delusional assassins.

It comes to my mind following a recent discussion with my cousin in Ramat Hasharon. He is one of the wisest men I have known. When I asked what he thought could put an end to a corrupt and indicted criminal, I did not intend to even cross my mind at the forbidden thought of death by a bullet. My intention was only to understand by what legal and democratic means could we witness change.

The word “mered” came to mind. An organized rebellion of citizens legally protesting a Likud government led by a semi-dictatorial prime minister.

I would never wish harm to any political leader regardless of how unpopular he or she might be. Once elected by popular votes the leader must be given every opportunity to unite the nation in the cause of our sovereignty and of our democratic and Jewish values.

It is not by coincidence that our daily siddur (prayerbook) contains a blessing for the well-being of the leader of the nation.

We ask God to give him/her the wisdom to act fairly and justly on behalf of the citizens he/she represents.

I was astounded a few months ago when I heard someone sitting in the next row of seats on an Egged bus talking to his friend in the seat next to him, stating “Yigal Amir should be released from prison on a furlough. He has more work to do”.

Chas v’chalila! A curse on the sick tongue of a sick mind.

I do not approve of Binyamin Netanyahu’s autocratic rule over us. He has the tendencies of some South American dictators.

In past years I had voted for him in two elections. But not in the recent three. He is, in my personal opinion, unworthy to serve as our prime minister. He has been accused, charged and indicted on several criminal cases brought against him.

And while the evidence appears to corroborate the charges, he insists on lying and putting the blame on the police and media who are “plotting” against him in their efforts to oust him. He cannot say it with a straight face. His long-time political activities have taught him well how to be a convincing liar.

However, in his forthcoming trial the evidence against him will no doubt be upheld and a guilty verdict rendered.

He has been supported in his lies by the two people closest to him: his domineering wife Sara who cannot bear the thought of leaving the state residence on Balfour street, and his very foul-mouthed, arrogant, son Yair, who does not work, gets government appointed body guards, lives rent free in the prime minister’s residence, and galavants his self- presumed manhood in the strip clubs of his delight.

They guide him with their advice and suggestions: who to fire and who to hire. Woe be it to the female secretaries who work with the prime minister. They are constantly under the jealous gaze of Sara.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has a daughter from his first out of three marriages to Miriam Weizman. She lives with her husband and adult children in Jerusalem, not very far from the Netanyahu residence.

Yet the prime minister under suggestions or demands is prohibited to visit his daughter and his grandchildren. Possibly Sara is afraid that she might convince her father to include her in his Will for her rightful share of inheritance. She is his first-born child.

Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of a jealous woman, one who is greatly disliked by many people in Israel.

If regrettably we are forced into a 4th election in the last 16 months, it is possible that Binyamin Netanyahu will be elected for a fifth term as our prime minister. I, personally, hope not.

But I would prefer that he be better protected than our late prime minister, Yitzchak Rabin, of blessed memory.

Ballots.. yes. Bullets.. never! Protests.. yes. Revolution and riots… no. The peace must always be primary.

It is what good Israeli citizens want and have always yearned for. And we will defend it.