Tunnel Vision, Funnel Vision
Prime time news provides the story when it comes to political games the government plays, particularly the manipulative maneuvers Prime Minister Netanyahu has mastered. New appointment of a deputy minister from a party inclined to vote against the government bill for the draft of ultra-Orthodox men to the army will change the balance of advantages vs. disadvantages for that party remaining part of the government coalition. After appointing David Zini as Chief of General Security Services (GSS or Shin Bet – שב״כ), rather than a senior officer from within the service, the role of second in command is now filled by another individual from outside the organization who can legally handle matters involving the PM from which Zini is barred – and this deputy chief is a guarantee of loyalty to the interests of the PM before loyalty to the interests of the state.
Disregard for rank and professional continuity within the GSS and prime time news. The Israeli public-at-large, at best, shakes its head in disbelief, momentary concern. Israel’s enemies get the picture. Another angle of the story that the draft law tells: the IDF needs more soldiers. Israel’s enemies get the picture.
Enlistment of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) soldiers requires IDF adaptation to their lifestyle. Diversity. Equality. Inclusion. When the inclusion part of DEI becomes exclusion. Where women fought their way to combat roles, Haredi inclusion would interfere, and Israeli program host on Channel 14 and radio program host on 103FM, Yinon Magal calls for exclusion of women from the IDF. Channel 14 considered a government mouthpiece. Creative compromises to promote diversity and equality forfeited their place on the agenda. The government is busy discrediting and banning Ha’aretz because of its leftist identity – justifying that as democracy.
Meanwhile Opposition leaders make statements hardly aligning with democratic principles. Lapid suggests revoking the right to vote from all citizens not serving in the IDF – Jewish citizens, that is. Golan proposes shutting down Channel 14, even if rightfully objecting to government call to close the IDF radio station.
Opposition rhetoric defies democracy too, and I cling to Ha’aretz. That Hebrew media outlet reporting on Israeli violations of Palestinians’ rights in the occupied territories where the State of Israel is supposed to protect Palestinians. Without further elaboration on Israeli settlers and right-wing extremists damaging Palestinians’ crops, vandalizing property, arson, trespassing, illegally entering homes, facing lack of Israeli enforcement of the law, Palestinian residents of the occupied territories’ concerns intensify: it’s an election year in Israel and things will get worse, and the current government of the State of Israel could easily place inflict circumstances on them similar to circumstances in Gaza. But Ha’aretz is not Israel’s most widely read newspaper. Hardly, a matter preoccupying most Israelis.
But prime time news updates the public on a new campaign by failing opposition politician, Benny Gantz. He vows not to include Arab parties in a future government coalition. The television screen displayed the statement. Cringing, I said to Haim, “Look.” We both understood how many Israelis might agree, and how many others might be indifferent or unmoved. But we felt pain in our hearts. Friends, colleagues, my favorite ENT doctor, my favorite nurse – Palestinian citizens of the State of Israel, citizens like me. A minority population. Like Jewish minorities in other nations. Prime time Israeli news, a political leader, a message to voters. Another message to Arab voters: we don’t want you here.
With tunnel vision, foggy details remain equally decipherable – or indecipherable. Reverse funnel vision, slowly scan the picture, detail by detail, gaining decipherability with distance. Focus is a choice.
Harriet Gimpel – January 17, 2026
