I think the author is largely right, but I would add one distinction: timing matters. In periods of relative calm, criticizing a government is normal in any democracy. People criticize leaders in Australia, Britain, or the United States all the time while still supporting those countries. The same can apply to Israel.
But during a war for survival, the situation is different. When the stakes are existential, support has to be clear and unambiguous. That applies not only to outsiders but to Israelis themselves. At moments like this, internal political battles should take a back seat to unity behind the country’s leadership.
Whatever questions remain about how October 7 happened, it is difficult to deny that Netanyahu has led Israel with determination throughout the war. In times like these, supporting Israel means supporting the leadership that is actually defending it.
Bibi has "led Israel with determination." Ha! That's the equivalent of "closing the barn door after the horse is out." October 7 happened on his watch. And it was not a passive failure. It was fueled by political decisions made by Netanyahu, such as encouraging Qatar to send millions every month to Hamas. A decision which will go down in history as one of the worst geo- political decisions ever. Moreover, Israel had all the intelligence that Hamas had detailed plans to attack and did nothing. Your attempt to absolve Netanyahu of any responsibility for the 10/7 disaster falls on deaf ears. Having said that, I agree the decision what to do about Bibi's malpractice falls to Israelis and Israelis alone. Only they have the power to vote.
You’re arguing against something I didn’t say. I never absolved Netanyahu of responsibility for October 7. In fact, I specifically said those questions will have to be examined.
But there is a difference between accountability and public political warfare in the middle of an existential conflict. When a country is fighting for survival, publicly attacking its leadership while soldiers are on the battlefield only weakens the country and strengthens its enemies.
There will be a time for investigations, criticism, and political reckoning. Democracies always have that moment after the war. But during the war itself, unity matters. Publicly undermining the country’s leadership while the fight is ongoing only helps the other side.
1) Netanyahu is the single most dominant figure in modern Israeli history. Ben Gurion founded it but Netanyahu (to borrow a phrase from that anti-Semite Obama) “fundamentally transformed it - from a sclerotic socialist state into the most innovative tech nation on Earth, AND an energy exporter thanks to its natural gas discoveries. Love him or hate him (I am in the former) nobody has his gravitas on the World Stage. We saw that when Bennett was PM.
2) Criticizing Bibi is the way for cowardly Jewish leftists to try and find favor with their leftist Jewhating comrades. It will undermine Israel but will buy them no influence on the left.
That all makes sense .. my knowledge between mid 1970s & mid 2000s is not so well versed as current .. I would add in Menachem Begin who was a great leader .. but as I say, I am not so well versed.
It's a knee jerk, cowardly way for many Lefties, especially the Jewish ones, to try to keep the love and acceptance from the non Jewish lefties who have been indoctrinated to hate Israel. It's all about their selfish self and their fear of being kicked out of the glorious, holy progressive movement. See cowardly Chuck Schumer. How's it going to work out for Chuck? AOC way ahead in the polls.
My mantra as a Jewish Brit, is that of Denis Prager, Prager U based in the USA.
Diaspora Jews support Israel whether it has a left or right wing government. I'm well aware of what goes on in Israeli politics, but in the diaspora, we should not openly criticise Israel such that the Jew haters and Israel haters use our comments, 'adding fuel to their fire'. And iif one is so critical of Israel, make Aliyah and get yourself a vote.
Of course criticism of Israel and its politics is fair game, and I bow to those Israelis who have lived it, walked the walk, done military service and have kids and other family serving.
It used to be said that if only Israel would make peace with the pallies, the Middle East would be peaceful. That could not be further from the truth .. it's a dangerous neighbourhood. Just look how Iran fought Iraq in the late 80s, the Arab spring circa 2010, and the Egyptian Army overthrew the democratically elected Morsi. And today, Iran attacks the Gulf States and who knows where that will end.
I'm currently in Israel and I hear so many lefties say that Netanyahu is awful, and when I ask who will win the next election, they all say Netanyahu.
I wonder what other leaders would do differently, because without doubt, Iran and its evil axis had to be confronted at some point.
“I'm well aware of what goes on in Israeli politics, but in the diaspora, we should not openly criticise Israel such that the Jew haters and Israel haters use our comments, 'adding fuel to their fire'.”
I am an Evangelical Christian Zionist, and could not agree with you more fully. I have engaged with a number of liberal Israeli Jewish friends, in Israel as well as the United States, who have been quite vocal in their contempt for Netanyahu. And I know very well how such views are seized upon, amplified, and spread abroad via social media by many who profess to be Christians (and may, indeed, be), insist they are NOT antisemitic, but anti-Zionist, and rail against Netanyahu as an embodiment of the evil Jewish cabal, seeking to achieve Global supremacy, etc.
It literally breaks my heart to see the extent to which the Satanically-inspired campaign to turn the world against Israel is succeeding. And it is especially heartbreaking and discouraging to see how so many Israeli and Diaspora Jews are being used to achieve that success.
For clarity, my perspective of the Bible, derived from a consistent application of the ‘Literal, Grammatical, Historical Hermeneutic’ (interpretive method), is a minority one within ‘Christendom’. And, it is under increasingly vehement attack from within ‘the Church’, primarily because it supports the belief that ‘the Chosen People’ remain ‘Chosen’, and that God will fulfill ALL of His promises to them, with Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) reigning over the world from David’s throne in Jerusalem, and with the Jewish people dwelling in the full, Biblically-mandated, territory of Land of Israel.
But that same view informs me that this present distressing reality of growing antisemitism is going to get worse; far worse, before it comes to its end. And, for what it’s worth, I engage in a daily ‘struggle’ to come to terms with that belief, while also retaining the confident peace and joy that comes from knowing the true and living God remains in Sovereign control of His Universe, and that He will bring about His Plans for the Ages, exactly as foretold.
Thank you Vanessa for your clarity on this subject. I followed my father’s advice that being in the Diaspora, Jews must unconditionally support Israel’s existence and not have a voice in internal politics. I would add that Israelis must be careful in supporting agendas influenced by externally funded NGOs.
B. Netanyahu best man you ever could have in current circumstances. I totally disagree with all liberals which most likely would have failed to stand up for your country in times like this 💪👏
I would never believe that Leftist twit Newscum. Bibi has done an extraordinary job considering he's had to deal with the hubris from Trump. I fully agree with Frederick Tatala regarding PM Netanyahu. I know his wife Sara must worry about him constantly with the ongoing wars.
Yes, supporting Israel means supporting their leadership. Pray for Bibi and the peace of Israel.
Netanyahu is a convenient straw man for those who hate Israel. If the next election puts Bennett, Gallant or even Lapid in the PM’s chair, the Islamists, the progressives, the woke right, the virtue signaling morons in Hollywood, the U.N., etc., will not suddenly embrace Israel and abandon their conspiracy theories, blood libels and violent rhetoric. They will repackage their hatred for Israel and find a new focal point. I am also tired of hearing progressive Diaspora Jews say that Netanyahu doesn’t reflect “their Jewish values,” as though he is a religious leader or that liberal Reform Jews of the Diaspora are the arbiters of “Jewish values.”
Before one opens one's mouth they should first walk in the other person's shoes. And now I will be specific. Too many "landesmen" who criticize Israel, have either never been there or the last time they went was that trip that they took in the 70s. When this 80-year long continual war against Israel is again paused, immediately take the opportunity to visit and talk to the people with your eyes and heart open. Then criticize all you want. It will then at least be from a position of knowledge.
Netanyahu's reality. Hamas and supporters’ rhetoric centers on the destruction of Israel not peaceful coexistence. This sentiment has found acceptance within various political, media, and academic institutions. Since 9/11, the world has seen over 44,000 terrorist attacks across 70 countries around the world. We are now accepting global terrorism as normal.
Exactly. WHo are we in this comfortable diaspora( shiny golus) to pontificate on the merits of Israel's elected officials?
Israel and the diaspora were lulled into a false sense of camaraderie and emerging co-existence with neighboring Palestinians prior to October 7th...just months earlier Israelis had taken to the streets to promote a more equitable society .
I think the author is largely right, but I would add one distinction: timing matters. In periods of relative calm, criticizing a government is normal in any democracy. People criticize leaders in Australia, Britain, or the United States all the time while still supporting those countries. The same can apply to Israel.
But during a war for survival, the situation is different. When the stakes are existential, support has to be clear and unambiguous. That applies not only to outsiders but to Israelis themselves. At moments like this, internal political battles should take a back seat to unity behind the country’s leadership.
Whatever questions remain about how October 7 happened, it is difficult to deny that Netanyahu has led Israel with determination throughout the war. In times like these, supporting Israel means supporting the leadership that is actually defending it.
Bibi has "led Israel with determination." Ha! That's the equivalent of "closing the barn door after the horse is out." October 7 happened on his watch. And it was not a passive failure. It was fueled by political decisions made by Netanyahu, such as encouraging Qatar to send millions every month to Hamas. A decision which will go down in history as one of the worst geo- political decisions ever. Moreover, Israel had all the intelligence that Hamas had detailed plans to attack and did nothing. Your attempt to absolve Netanyahu of any responsibility for the 10/7 disaster falls on deaf ears. Having said that, I agree the decision what to do about Bibi's malpractice falls to Israelis and Israelis alone. Only they have the power to vote.
You’re arguing against something I didn’t say. I never absolved Netanyahu of responsibility for October 7. In fact, I specifically said those questions will have to be examined.
But there is a difference between accountability and public political warfare in the middle of an existential conflict. When a country is fighting for survival, publicly attacking its leadership while soldiers are on the battlefield only weakens the country and strengthens its enemies.
There will be a time for investigations, criticism, and political reckoning. Democracies always have that moment after the war. But during the war itself, unity matters. Publicly undermining the country’s leadership while the fight is ongoing only helps the other side.
"Can we be anti-Netanyahu and pro-Israel?"
No. Next question?
.. you point ?
1) Netanyahu is the single most dominant figure in modern Israeli history. Ben Gurion founded it but Netanyahu (to borrow a phrase from that anti-Semite Obama) “fundamentally transformed it - from a sclerotic socialist state into the most innovative tech nation on Earth, AND an energy exporter thanks to its natural gas discoveries. Love him or hate him (I am in the former) nobody has his gravitas on the World Stage. We saw that when Bennett was PM.
2) Criticizing Bibi is the way for cowardly Jewish leftists to try and find favor with their leftist Jewhating comrades. It will undermine Israel but will buy them no influence on the left.
That all makes sense .. my knowledge between mid 1970s & mid 2000s is not so well versed as current .. I would add in Menachem Begin who was a great leader .. but as I say, I am not so well versed.
It's a knee jerk, cowardly way for many Lefties, especially the Jewish ones, to try to keep the love and acceptance from the non Jewish lefties who have been indoctrinated to hate Israel. It's all about their selfish self and their fear of being kicked out of the glorious, holy progressive movement. See cowardly Chuck Schumer. How's it going to work out for Chuck? AOC way ahead in the polls.
My mantra as a Jewish Brit, is that of Denis Prager, Prager U based in the USA.
Diaspora Jews support Israel whether it has a left or right wing government. I'm well aware of what goes on in Israeli politics, but in the diaspora, we should not openly criticise Israel such that the Jew haters and Israel haters use our comments, 'adding fuel to their fire'. And iif one is so critical of Israel, make Aliyah and get yourself a vote.
Of course criticism of Israel and its politics is fair game, and I bow to those Israelis who have lived it, walked the walk, done military service and have kids and other family serving.
It used to be said that if only Israel would make peace with the pallies, the Middle East would be peaceful. That could not be further from the truth .. it's a dangerous neighbourhood. Just look how Iran fought Iraq in the late 80s, the Arab spring circa 2010, and the Egyptian Army overthrew the democratically elected Morsi. And today, Iran attacks the Gulf States and who knows where that will end.
I'm currently in Israel and I hear so many lefties say that Netanyahu is awful, and when I ask who will win the next election, they all say Netanyahu.
I wonder what other leaders would do differently, because without doubt, Iran and its evil axis had to be confronted at some point.
“I'm well aware of what goes on in Israeli politics, but in the diaspora, we should not openly criticise Israel such that the Jew haters and Israel haters use our comments, 'adding fuel to their fire'.”
I am an Evangelical Christian Zionist, and could not agree with you more fully. I have engaged with a number of liberal Israeli Jewish friends, in Israel as well as the United States, who have been quite vocal in their contempt for Netanyahu. And I know very well how such views are seized upon, amplified, and spread abroad via social media by many who profess to be Christians (and may, indeed, be), insist they are NOT antisemitic, but anti-Zionist, and rail against Netanyahu as an embodiment of the evil Jewish cabal, seeking to achieve Global supremacy, etc.
It literally breaks my heart to see the extent to which the Satanically-inspired campaign to turn the world against Israel is succeeding. And it is especially heartbreaking and discouraging to see how so many Israeli and Diaspora Jews are being used to achieve that success.
For clarity, my perspective of the Bible, derived from a consistent application of the ‘Literal, Grammatical, Historical Hermeneutic’ (interpretive method), is a minority one within ‘Christendom’. And, it is under increasingly vehement attack from within ‘the Church’, primarily because it supports the belief that ‘the Chosen People’ remain ‘Chosen’, and that God will fulfill ALL of His promises to them, with Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) reigning over the world from David’s throne in Jerusalem, and with the Jewish people dwelling in the full, Biblically-mandated, territory of Land of Israel.
But that same view informs me that this present distressing reality of growing antisemitism is going to get worse; far worse, before it comes to its end. And, for what it’s worth, I engage in a daily ‘struggle’ to come to terms with that belief, while also retaining the confident peace and joy that comes from knowing the true and living God remains in Sovereign control of His Universe, and that He will bring about His Plans for the Ages, exactly as foretold.
Am Israel Chai, to the glory of God!
People who are genuine focus on what is good for the people. OTOH Charlatans focus on does the leader of this country match my fashion accessories.
Thank you Vanessa for your clarity on this subject. I followed my father’s advice that being in the Diaspora, Jews must unconditionally support Israel’s existence and not have a voice in internal politics. I would add that Israelis must be careful in supporting agendas influenced by externally funded NGOs.
B. Netanyahu best man you ever could have in current circumstances. I totally disagree with all liberals which most likely would have failed to stand up for your country in times like this 💪👏
I would never believe that Leftist twit Newscum. Bibi has done an extraordinary job considering he's had to deal with the hubris from Trump. I fully agree with Frederick Tatala regarding PM Netanyahu. I know his wife Sara must worry about him constantly with the ongoing wars.
Yes, supporting Israel means supporting their leadership. Pray for Bibi and the peace of Israel.
Netanyahu is a convenient straw man for those who hate Israel. If the next election puts Bennett, Gallant or even Lapid in the PM’s chair, the Islamists, the progressives, the woke right, the virtue signaling morons in Hollywood, the U.N., etc., will not suddenly embrace Israel and abandon their conspiracy theories, blood libels and violent rhetoric. They will repackage their hatred for Israel and find a new focal point. I am also tired of hearing progressive Diaspora Jews say that Netanyahu doesn’t reflect “their Jewish values,” as though he is a religious leader or that liberal Reform Jews of the Diaspora are the arbiters of “Jewish values.”
Before one opens one's mouth they should first walk in the other person's shoes. And now I will be specific. Too many "landesmen" who criticize Israel, have either never been there or the last time they went was that trip that they took in the 70s. When this 80-year long continual war against Israel is again paused, immediately take the opportunity to visit and talk to the people with your eyes and heart open. Then criticize all you want. It will then at least be from a position of knowledge.
Netanyahu's reality. Hamas and supporters’ rhetoric centers on the destruction of Israel not peaceful coexistence. This sentiment has found acceptance within various political, media, and academic institutions. Since 9/11, the world has seen over 44,000 terrorist attacks across 70 countries around the world. We are now accepting global terrorism as normal.
Exactly. WHo are we in this comfortable diaspora( shiny golus) to pontificate on the merits of Israel's elected officials?
Israel and the diaspora were lulled into a false sense of camaraderie and emerging co-existence with neighboring Palestinians prior to October 7th...just months earlier Israelis had taken to the streets to promote a more equitable society .