Tales from the Land of Milk and Misery

Some things are clear:

7 October should be a Memorial Day in #Israel.

Only an independent national inquiry committee can get to the truth, probing the ill-functioning of the government, the IDF and the SHABAC and explain the colossal decision-making processes that led to 7 October 2023.

Protests

For more than two years, the people of Israel have been going to the streets to protest against the government, first to protect their democracy from the government’s blunt anti-democratic and corrupt actions. Later to demand to do whatever it can to bring the Hostages to their loving families. People ask me why do I bother to take part in these protests. Clearly, the government is not attentive to them.

I do this for three reasons. (1) For the hostages’ families, to show them they are not alone in their strife. (2) For the Hostages because we know that some of them see the news from time to time and are encouraged by the public support. (3) For myself. Evil thrives in silence. I cannot stand idly by, watching such irresponsible priorities. The government’s first priority is to release the Hostages. The government should not desert them. To perceive the Hostages as collateral damage is immoral and irresponsible. I cannot stand it. Protesting against such irresponsible, cruel and ill-reasoned government is a duty.

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News

The news in Israel is depressing. Every day, I am reluctant to open the television and hear the latest. The government does not stop producing more and more depressing news, be it new law proposals that are either anti-democratic, corrupt or both. Its actions are mostly self-serving, designed to ensure Netanyahu’s position in the prime minister’s office. Most of the Likud members entered the Knesset and the government only because Netanyahu instructed the Likud Center to vote for them. They owe him their power and salaries. They are loyal to him even if he says night is day and day is night. Whatever he wishes, they jump. Sad to see such a group of irresponsible, dependent people who lack autonomy and judgment.

All appointments are political. Merit is not important. The important thing is that the candidates abide by Netanyahu’s dictates. Therefore, candidates for any position undergo detailed questioning. Their answers would decide the outcome. Officers who started their positions before the questioning must align themselves with Netanyahu. If not, their position is at risk.

I think that all those who are responsible for 7 October 2023 catastrophe should go home. The sooner the better. I do not shed any tears over Herzy HaLevy, the disgraced Chief of Staff who was forced to leave office. However, I was worried when his chosen successor, Eyal Zamir, issued a first statement that said: 2025 would be a year of war.

I yearn for the day when Israeli leaders declare: Next year will be a year of peace!

And Zamir does not think an independent national inquiry committee is necessary.

The last thing Israel needs is a political Chief of Staff.

This government lost its breaks. Everything is allowed in order to satisfy the prime minister who thinks he is Israel!

As I write, 17 March, Netanyahu wants to fire the Head of SHABAC Ronen Bar.

I want Bar to be fired. He made major mistakes that enabled Hamas to storm Israel on 7 October, murder 1200 people and kidnap some 250 others. He is responsible for this colossal failure. But if the result is that Netanyahu will appoint another yes man for this position and that he will remain in power as he dusts away his responsibility and puts it on others, then this is unacceptable. The prime responsibility for 7 October lies with the prime minister.

With all the turmoil that Netanyahu is creating, the hostages are demoted to a second-degree concern. They do not open the news. The Israeli government does not really care for their well-being although these people were kidnapped under their watch, as a result of misguided decision-making processes and their preoccupation with their formidable task to change the democratic order of Israel and make it into a corrupt, anti-democratic country.

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The Netanyahus

The Netanyahus love to go abroad, be driven in fancy cars, walk on red carpets, enjoy great meals and stay in the best hotels. The problem is the Hague and the arrest warnings that were issued against Netanyahu. The royal couple visited the United States safely and now they found another destination where they will be warmly accepted without fear of prison: Hungary.

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Hungary

Hungary is Netanyahu’s role model. He wants to do in Israel what Orbán did in Hungary. In 2010, Viktor Orbán became Hungary’s Prime Minister, and since then, he and his party, Fidesz, have methodically eroded the country’s legal framework and restructured the electoral system to secure future victories. Criticizing the government’s actions has become increasingly difficult, as the government has imposed growing restrictions on media freedom and civil society. Fidesz secured two-thirds of the seats in parliament in both the 2014 and 2018 elections, despite receiving less than 50 percent of the popular vote in each.

Fidesz’s narrow “super-majority” was achieved through a combination of fraud and a manipulated electoral system. According to the organization Unhack Democracy, this includes practices such as vote buying, the “importation” of voters from neighbouring countries, discrepancies in voter rolls, malfunctioning election websites, tampering with overseas votes, and election software developed by individuals with close ties to Fidesz, which have proven unreliable.

Orbán and Fidesz also undermine Hungary’s democracy by abusing their control over state resources. International observers, including the OSCE-ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights), have pointed to a clear overlap between state resources and Fidesz party resources during elections, making it increasingly difficult for opposition parties to campaign on equal footing.

Orbán’s xenophobic rhetoric and efforts to discredit independent media have left little room for open, democratic debate. For voters, making an informed choice about who should govern the country has become an increasingly difficult task.

Netanyahu is deeply impressed with what Orbán did in Hungary. He, too, fights all the points of power that do not support him. Loyalty is everything. If you are not loyal, you will be targeted. Netanyahu targets the few checks and balances Israel has and changes them. He has full control over the government. He controls the Knesset. He controls the State Comptroller. Now it seems he controls the army. Next are the Legal Advisor of the Government, the Supreme Court, the SHABAC and the media.

While many people in Israel, like me, are deeply worried and concerned. Netanyahu’s base is happy. Their beloved King is in power. Eyes they have and they do not see. Ears they have and they hear only Netanyahu. Mouths they have in service of King Netanyahu. Likud, according to the polls, is still the largest party in Israel. Go figure. What else can happen for them to wake up and see the disaster?

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There are very few things that should not be confined to certain boundaries. Kindness is one of them.

A group of severely wounded Israeli soldiers, all fought in the recent war against Hamas, boarded a plane. Some were missing limbs. Some arrived in wheelchairs. The passengers in the business class saw them. Once they understood who these wounded people were, they decided to give their seats to the soldiers. The soldiers tried to resist but were ignored. This was the least they could do, they told the soldiers.

None of the passengers in business share their story of kindness on social media. The media heard about this from a stewardess.

I wonder whether such spontaneous acts take place in other parts of the world.

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Gem of the month: Shlomo Artzi

Artzi’s career spans over 55 years. His charm and talent make him a popular musician among young and old, people who grew up with him and those who became familiar with his music more recently. His concerts are always sold out and the audience is always varied. I attended his concert in the State Buildings in Jerusalem and enjoyed every minute. Two hours of singing and dancing with one of the most prolific and talented musicians that Israel has produced. Artzi is 75 years old, and he continues to write music and perform on stage.

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Sheon Choref

For five weeks during Mondays Jerusalem celebrated Sheon Choref, Winter Noise, in different locations. Music, dance, theatre, stand up comedy and more. Most for free. The sleepy city woke up and brought the streets secular people who are usually in minority. During five evenings in this artistic happenings Jerusalem suddenly reminded me, for the first time since my arrival last September, reminded me of Tel Aviv.

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Purim

Purim in Jerusalem is special. Reading the book of Esther is particularly special this year as its messages remain relevant. On 16 March, a parade was held in the main streets of the city. Many thousands of people attended, many of them dressed up. People danced and sang in the streets. Haredi people dressed up as non-Haredi. Non-Haredi dressed up as Haredi. People were openly drunk as the instruction is to drink to the extent that you cannot distinguish between good and evil. Purim is a joyful festival for children and in Jerusalem many adults joined the children with funny customs. There are not many days on the Jewish calendar that are as joyful as Purim. I was very happy to see this celebration. Israeli society is in a bad state. It is nice to try to forget all the many problems for one day. Us are my

I attended the reading of the Book of Esther in the Zion community in Jerusalem, a community whose values are my values: equality, tolerance, peace, compassion and justice. I love to be surrounded by good people, with good vibes, who always wish to do good.

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Jerusalem Theatre

I am fortunate to live near the Jerusalem Theatre. I frequent the theatre regularly, enjoying music, theatre, movies and more. It became my cultural home.