There is a growing sense that the aura of infallibility accorded the Supreme Court, that forms the basis of its almost limitless power, so assiduously (some might say insidiously) cultivated by Chief Justice Aharon Barak, is beginning to dim. In Israel, the negative impact of the judicialization of politics on the Supreme Court’s legitimacy is […]
By its unflagging support of the establishment of a homophobic, misogynistic Muslim-majority tyranny (a.k.a. a Palestinian state), America’s allegedly “progressive” Jewry reveals that it is, in fact, profoundly regressive Benjamin Netanyahu is a failed leader. He has led the State of Israel, once a proud example of a tenacious and highly developed democracy, to the […]
Otto von Bismarck, (1815-1898) the German statesman, credited with the unification of Germany (1871,) and who served as its first Chancellor until 1890, famously defined “politics” as “the art of the possible” This is certainly true in the dizzyingly volatile kaleidoscope realities of Israeli politics. Indeed, only few days ago, Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, was […]
The false façade of Blue & White was even more friable and fragile than anyone imagined; under the assault of recalcitrant reality, even the fast-drying Bibiphobic glue proved unable to hold things together. Just over a year ago, immediately after the announcement of the union between Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, and the establishment of […]
There is—and should be–a qualitative difference (i.e. a structural inequality) between votes cast for parties that wish to undermine the Jewish nation-state and those who wish to protect and preserve it … the right of the Jewish people to establish their State is irrevocable…This right is the natural right of the Jewish people to be […]
This week, Israeli politics plumbed appalling new lows with reports that, Blue& White, which, as the major rival to PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, emerged as the second largest party in last week’s Knesset elections, was actively planning to violate its solemn pledges to the voters, made only days previously. In a breathtaking display of unprincipled […]
The tenets of “defensive democracy” require Israel to act against those who would use its democracy to undermine the very foundations on which it is founded. Clause 7A of Basic Law: Knesset: A candidates’ list shall not participate in elections to the Knesset, and a person shall not be a candidate for election to the […]
Assessing the overall long-term merits of the “Deal of the Century” is a little like trying to hit a rapidly moving target “There was a wedding today. The groom showed up. The bride stayed home and wished the groom dead. And everyone clapped – A caustic assessment of the ‘Deal of the Century’”, attributed to […]
Whatever the operational efficacy of targeted assassinations may be—or not be—the conscience of every decent individual should rebel at the thought that arch-purveyors of terror should be permitted to pursue their deadly profession with impunity “Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin” – attributed to Aesop, Greek fabulist (circa […]
Despite his remarkable success, Netanyahu has been ceaselessly assailed by his political adversaries. Indeed, it is perhaps his very success that has generated such raw rancor against him. Israel – “a land that devours its inhabitants.” Numbers 13:32. I would have preferred to have devoted this week’s column to some other topic—such as the ascendance of […]
Despite the dramatic physical, societal and political differences between Israel and the US, in both countries a very similar—and disturbing—assault on the fabric of democracy is taking place We cannot rely on an election to solve our problems. – Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Dec. 11, 2019, on the need to impeach President […]
Despite its many undoubted merits, democracy has one glaring detriment. There is never a dictator to blame for the fate that befalls the people. They alone are responsible for whatever befalls them. “Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, Vox populi, vox Dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit (And those people should not be listened […]
“There is something sick in the State Prosecutor’s Office; Shai Nitzan is not fit to be the State Prosecutor” – Judge Hila Gerstel, former Commissioner for Prosecutorial Oversight Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes? (But who will guard the guardians themselves?) Juvenal, a Roman poet (circa 55 CE- circa 127 CE), Satire VI, line 347. Public trust […]
“Such a missile would pulverize a house to dust. It blasted a crater that is impossible to describe… There is no protection that defend us in the case of missiles like this.”- Gaza-border resident The IDF is investigating the incident [in which Arab civilians were hit in the latest round of fighting in Gaza]; […]
Delaying the inevitable does not make it less inevitable—only more costly “A fool can throw a stone in a pond that 100 wise men cannot get out.” – Saul Bellow, (1915-2005) “The ultimate test of this agreement will be a test of blood. If it becomes clear that [the Palestinians] cannot overcome terror, this will […]