The best unfiltered unbiased most accurate definition of what Democracy is and is not. Which was not intended to be the the theme of this Brilliant Essay ---or was it? Anyhow it was genius ms Berg. enlightened me.
"Israel’s 2021 government demonstrated the possibilities particularly vividly: Parties ranging across much of the ideological spectrum joined together, including, for the first time in an Israeli governing coalition, an Arab party".
You left out something important. The Israeli left, the reality Israeli left not the center right opposition to Netanyahu, was destroyed over the second Intafada in 2001. It hasn't come near holding power since and the Labor party whose history you so clearly described as virtually ceased to exist. This is the true story of the 21st century in Israeli politics. Netanyahu benefitted greatly from this Labor self destruction but only after Sharon's stroke enabled him to return to power.
A fascinating history that I knew little of before reading your excellent account. Great leaders are ‘thin on the ground’ in all three countries with which I concern myself: Canada, USA and Israel. Democracy has its flaws as a system, but sadly, you can’t depend on ‘benevolent dictators’ to remain benevolent.
I was 14 in 1977, and I can vaguely remember a time before Likud governed Israel. I believe the Overton Window shifted considerably in 1977 in a way that remains to this day. Same with the U.S. a few years later in 1980. Things that seemed possible before those shifts now seem permanently unreachable.
Israeli politics are really interesting: especially when you compare Mizrahi and Sephardic Jews are more hawkish than Ashkenazi Jews. In the US of course, most Jews are Ashkenazi (and secular) and overwhelmingly vote left. Orthodox Jews are essentially the conservative representatives of the tribe.
"There is an interesting problem inside Likud itself: One survey found that 55 percent of Likud voters wanted a government closer to the political center than Netanyahu’s outgoing coalition".
The best unfiltered unbiased most accurate definition of what Democracy is and is not. Which was not intended to be the the theme of this Brilliant Essay ---or was it? Anyhow it was genius ms Berg. enlightened me.
THANK YOU
God forbid that should happen again.
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"Israel’s 2021 government demonstrated the possibilities particularly vividly: Parties ranging across much of the ideological spectrum joined together, including, for the first time in an Israeli governing coalition, an Arab party".
You left out something important. The Israeli left, the reality Israeli left not the center right opposition to Netanyahu, was destroyed over the second Intafada in 2001. It hasn't come near holding power since and the Labor party whose history you so clearly described as virtually ceased to exist. This is the true story of the 21st century in Israeli politics. Netanyahu benefitted greatly from this Labor self destruction but only after Sharon's stroke enabled him to return to power.
A fascinating history that I knew little of before reading your excellent account. Great leaders are ‘thin on the ground’ in all three countries with which I concern myself: Canada, USA and Israel. Democracy has its flaws as a system, but sadly, you can’t depend on ‘benevolent dictators’ to remain benevolent.
I was 14 in 1977, and I can vaguely remember a time before Likud governed Israel. I believe the Overton Window shifted considerably in 1977 in a way that remains to this day. Same with the U.S. a few years later in 1980. Things that seemed possible before those shifts now seem permanently unreachable.
Israeli politics are really interesting: especially when you compare Mizrahi and Sephardic Jews are more hawkish than Ashkenazi Jews. In the US of course, most Jews are Ashkenazi (and secular) and overwhelmingly vote left. Orthodox Jews are essentially the conservative representatives of the tribe.
I find that hard to believe. Sounds like BS.
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"There is an interesting problem inside Likud itself: One survey found that 55 percent of Likud voters wanted a government closer to the political center than Netanyahu’s outgoing coalition".
I would depesperately like to know about Gadi Eisenkot.
Is he a Leftist in foreign policy, in economics, in individual rights vs collective rights?
He appears to be a mystery man.
All I know is he had relatives die in the Gaza war and used to be the head of the IDF.
Anyone have a honest appraisal of him?