Time to Move Past Bibi

The reality is that there is a need to move past Benjamin Natanyahu. I don’t say that with a particular political party’s terms in mind. This opinion is not rabbinicaly informed and may not be shared by many. Let me explain my thinking.

When I first travelled to Israel in 1996 for my gap year after high school, I remember seeing spray paint on a wall in Jerusalem “Bibi Bogged Bo – Bibi betrayed us”. My first introduction to Israeli politics was that Bibi had already been seen as someone who did not fulfill his campaign promises when he was first elected. And yet, over the past 30 years, time and time again he has returned to the Prime Minister’s office because he is seen by many as the only one who can save Israel when things get tough.

I can understand the feeling. Every time I see him speak at the UN I am left with the feeling that very few present the case for Israel as well as he does. He is an orator. His cadence and visuals can be compelling to the point of being mesmerizing. But my argument is that this very fact is dangerous. How long will he be the only voice that we can rely on and what other voice are we not giving the stage to because he is on it?

As somebody living outside of Israel, I’m not sure I have much authority on who should lead. I won’t go as far as to say anyone living inside of Israel has no right to an opinion, but I have always felt that it is important for those who must live with the consequences most acutely to be the ones making decisions.

Some voters may want Bibi’s exact policies and platform but even for them I think it is finally time to move on next month. Even the same party should be led by others. Not necessarily because of his views, his misdeeds or even a shift in his ability to lead. 

So what is it? It is more of the fact that at some point we will certainly need someone else to step into leadership and it is likely better not to be forced or to have Bibi continue to a point where he is not fit to lead. 

There is a surprising Gemara (Chullin 7a) that I believe is very relevant. The Gemara questions how it could be that Chizkiya was the one to grind up the copper snake that Moshe has forged to stop a plague (see Bamidbar Ch. 21) that was being worshipped as an idol. Wouldn’t the earlier righteous kings of Israel have already made sure this was done when they eradicated idols in their time? The Gemara answers that מָקוֹם הִנִּיחוּ לוֹ אֲבוֹתָיו לְהִתְגַּדֵּר בּוֹ they left Chizkiyahu a place to make his mark. The implication is that despite this being important and necessary there was intentionality to not dealing with it to allow a future leader to make his mark.

This is truly astounding. Even something as important as ridding the land of idol worship which is perhaps mentioned in the Bible as much as any other concern. Again and again it is tied to conquering the land. There is tremendous concern expressed about the Jewish people not being influenced by idol worship and clear instructions about destroying it hastily. And yet it is here that we find some of the job left for future generations.

I very much doubt that BiBi will be reading this post. But, if he is, I would encourage him to think about his grandchildren and future generations. Who will lead them? Perhaps it is time to allow some other leaders to represent us to prepare for the future.