The Sly Fox and the Big Bad Wolf

Today, 20 April 2020, is a day that began as a day of infamy. Mr. Gantz and Mr. Netanyahu had met for long hours into the late night arguing over small but important-to-them details pertinent to signing a unity agreement.

At one point, Benny Gantz got up and walked out. That was the first of the breaking news. Later the news reported that the Sly Fox and the Big Bad Wolf were continuing negotiations. It seemed that an agreement might be signed.

More breaking news. Hallelujah ! Agreement was signed. We have an emergency unity government after more than one year of being without any formal government.

Our president can relax. A fourth expected August election will need not be held. All of us can breathe easier.

Likud and Blue and White have shared the ministries of a new government between them. They seem to be fair with one exception. Sly Fox should not have surrendered the position of Knesset speaker to the Big Bad Wolf. It enables him to veto the possibility of passing a law denying indicted or convicted Knesset members of serving as prime minister.

Perhaps the courts may consider passing a law on their own without the Knesset’s decision. We have been so accustomed for so long to a large crack in our democracy that one more crack can be anticipated.

The Likud’s right-wing bloc may lack the support of Naftali Bennett’s Yamina party. They were deprived of ministerial positions and could quite possibly seek vengeance by joining the opposition.

With all said and done, we can be grateful that the Fox and the Wolf agreed to put the needs of our nation before their own personal needs.

Nevertheless, I feel that the Sly Fox must be very careful of the Big Bad Wolf. We all know that wolves can be very dangerous and fierce animals. A bite from a wolf can be fatal.

Question. How will this agreement be beneficial to the small business owners of whom I wrote in my article of yesterday? Will the new government extend aid to suffering owners who have been bereft of their income?

Will Yuval Carmi, the falafel shop-owner from Ashdod whose tears shocked the nation, now be able to feed his family, to put food on the table and to pay his monthly rent?

Will the newly designated Finance Minister find a solution to this incredibly suffering problem?

There is much anxiety in our country today. Many are excited that finally we have a working government, yet many have their suspicions.

The Big Bad Wolf has been known for many years to deceive the animals of the forest. He has often lured them into traps from which they had difficulty in extricating themselves.

Foxes, on the other hand, are considered more valuable to society. Their skins are famous for fashionable coats and garments, whereas wolves are infamous for their deadly ferociousness.

Now the central question which we assuredly must ask… if the lion and the lamb could lie down together, could it be true of a Sly Fox and a Big Bad Wolf?

Only the other animals in the forest will know.

But the wisest advice to the Sly Fox can be found in a simple but powerful Hebrew proverb>

Chabdaihu v’ Chashdaihu. RESPECT and SUSPECT !