The end of Sánchez

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In this week’s Torah portion, we delve into the narrative of Noah, a man of righteousness in an era of corruption, tasked by the Divine to construct an ark to save his family and the creatures of the Earth from an impending delict. The flood, a symbol of divine judgment, washed away the wickedness that had pervaded human society, leaving behind a covenant of hope with the rainbow as its sign.

In our contemporary narrative, Spain finds itself facing its own metaphorical floods. Prime Minister Sánchez’s government is navigating turbulent waters, not just of the physical kind with the devastating floods in Valencia, but also in the moral and political spheres. Over 200 people are reported dead, with many still missing. The disaster has overwhelmed local emergency services. There is a mix of grief, anger, and calls for help across social media platforms, with criticisms regarding the government’s preparedness and response. Some posts also mention issues like looting, adding to the complexity of the situation. The floods in Valencia, where emergency responses were criticized for their inefficacy, mirror the story of Noah in a modern context. Here, the ark could be seen as the infrastructure and governance needed to protect the citizens. Yet, the government’s ark seems to have sprung leaks, with many pointing fingers at the leadership for not adequately preparing or responding to the disaster.

Simultaneously, the Sánchez government is embroiled in a storm of several corruption cases recently, the latest involves high-profile figures accused of financial impropriety and misuse of public funds. Recent investigations have brought to light potential misconduct in public contracts, misuse of funds, and ethical breaches by some high-ranking officials. These cases have fueled public discontent, with many citizens and opposition parties calling for transparency and accountability.

Adding to this narrative are the antisemitic acts against Israel, which echo the darker aspects of human nature that Noah’s story warns against. Just as the world in Noah’s time turned against itself, leading to its destruction, these acts remind us of the persistent human folly of division and hatred.

Recent weeks have seen an alarming rise in antisemitic acts across Europe, seemingly fueled by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. While Spain has not been immune to these incidents, the government’s stance on the matter has been under scrutiny. Sánchez has been ambiguous in condemning antisemitism, especially in the context of protests against Israel’s policies. This has led to tensions within the Spanish Jewish community and among pro-Israel supporters who feel the government’s response lacks the necessary condemnation and support. The Sánchez’s government and its dance with antisemitism is not just about what actions have been taken but also about the echoes of what has been left in silence.

The result of the storm of biblical proportions that hit the Sánchez government could be its end. Thus, the story of Noah, intertwined with our current events, serves not just as a cautionary tale but as a hopeful narrative, urging us towards building our own arks of integrity and resilience against the floods of our times.