Israel’s protests are back, but they’re not what they say they are. The sad reality is that Israeli leftists are marching against irrelevance, not war.
The Israeli left are tragic in their recurring addition to sugary ideas that are so stupid only an intellectual could believe in. The existence these days is a primarily a recurring tantrum to win friends and influence people who care nothing for Israel neither left nor right. No you will not get that plumb job in Europe not matter what.
I agree with the author. The idea that Israelis would be “anti-war” right now makes no sense. Israel did not choose this war; it was imposed on us by enemies who have spent years arming themselves and openly declaring their intention to destroy the country. At a moment like this, when soldiers are fighting and citizens are under attack, the priority should be unity. You can debate politics in calmer times, but during a war the country needs solidarity behind its leadership. What we’re seeing in many of these demonstrations looks less like opposition to the war itself and more like what could only be called Bibi derangement syndrome — a reflex to oppose anything Netanyahu does. Whatever one thinks of him politically, the timing of these protests is deeply misguided.
I still want to know why the Supreme Court decided it was ok to protest but not to pray at the Kotel. and yes, now after that ruling there are prayers allowed once again at the Kotel. This reminds me of the ridiculousness here in the US that during COVID there could be mass protests but children couldn't go to play grounds and grandparents died alone in nursing homes. The Left in every country is ridiculous.
Considering the reality of Israel's daily existence, anti-war protesting while running to a shelter as sirens blare makes these people look pretty stupid. Protest the government, sure, but don't hide that by saying you're against war. As the article mentions WHO is for war? My career Army Dad was a combat soldier in 1950 Korea who once told me in the late '60's "No real soldier ever wants to see a war because he knows the price to be paid."
The Israeli Left sounds like the American Left in protests and criticism of the war. TDS in the US and NDS in Israel. They are both a moral vacuum whose protests are nothing but empty voids with signs that echo the same. They are despicable groups who root for the enemies of their countries through these protests. It's easy to hold up an anti-war sign, very simple. Walk for a few hours, scream moral superiority slogans, while the military puts their lives on the line so they can continue their shouting. This is really not surprising when after October 7th, Miki and Tami Mark, peace activists who were murdered by those they befriended. Their friends said they would continue their work, and while that is noble, it is also far from reality of the situation. Yes, criticism is fine if it is legitimate, but these protests are part of the Left's agenda. What do they actually do to improve or change what they believe is wrong? As you have said, change can come from voting, but when a group still doesn't respect the results, they will proceed as usual.
The author accuses the protestors of gaslighting. I think that this is projection. That 1000 people can gather, during a war against Israel's avowed enemies, to protest against that war, is actually courageous, whether you agree or not - and is also testimony to the strength of Israel's democracy.
It is obvious that these 1000 protestors are protesting the government. But there can be many reasons to protest it. It is probable that most people that oppose the current government - according to polls, a majority of the population - do not oppose the prosecution of the war against the IRGC and Hezbollah. These few protestors do, in fact, oppose that war - which, as the author concedes, is their right - and thus they do not gaslight anyone.
Were the protest held against the government's policies, e.g. against HOW they prosecute this war - such as bribing the economically and militarily non-contributing sectors of society with billions of Shekel just to keep them in the coalition, while pressuring the contributing sectors with ever more taxes and reserve duty days - then such demonstrations would attract hundreds of times more protestors. Everyone understands that this is not feasible when the missiles fly. But their time will come.
The author tries to lump together a small section of anti-war activists with the vast number of Israelis who are clear-eyed about the need to combat their enemies, and that are also appalled at their government, the most incompetent ever, that puts its own survival above all else, preventing elections by all means possible, sowing discord for electoral purposes rather than trying to unify a country that is at war. That has nothing to do with "Leftism". The author is gaslighting us.
Actually, she's right and you're wrong. Fortunately for Israel a large chunk of the leftist protestors are old and the young are very supportive of the government, Israel and Judaism.
Actually you are wrong. If you are supportive of Israel and Zionism, then you oppose this incompetent, anti-Zionist government. You would be right if Judaism were equivalent to the money-grabbing, illiteracy-promoting, military service-opposing ultra-orthodox parties that this government is based upon. But that is not what Judaism is.
I happen to be Israeli and I, along with the vast majority of the country support our government. You make the usual leftist assertions without a shred of evidence or fact.
This is indeed a topic more for Israelis than Americans. As you know there are many jews here in America that are leftists first and foremost. This was most apparent when they supported the notion of court packing here to get control of the judiciary as the left has done in israel at the highest levels.
The fact that the current gov't, which was formed with 64 out of 120 Knesset seats BEFORE the Oct 7 disaster, is holding on to power with its fingernails and is doing everything possible to avert early elections, indicates that they know that they do not currently enjoy the support of a majority of the electorate.
And coloring someone "leftist" does not relieve you from engaging with the arguments raised.
The Israeli left are tragic in their recurring addition to sugary ideas that are so stupid only an intellectual could believe in. The existence these days is a primarily a recurring tantrum to win friends and influence people who care nothing for Israel neither left nor right. No you will not get that plumb job in Europe not matter what.
I am nauseatingly sick of the left no matter where they are. They are stupid, selfish, hypocritical and insufferably arrogant.
I agree with the author. The idea that Israelis would be “anti-war” right now makes no sense. Israel did not choose this war; it was imposed on us by enemies who have spent years arming themselves and openly declaring their intention to destroy the country. At a moment like this, when soldiers are fighting and citizens are under attack, the priority should be unity. You can debate politics in calmer times, but during a war the country needs solidarity behind its leadership. What we’re seeing in many of these demonstrations looks less like opposition to the war itself and more like what could only be called Bibi derangement syndrome — a reflex to oppose anything Netanyahu does. Whatever one thinks of him politically, the timing of these protests is deeply misguided.
I still want to know why the Supreme Court decided it was ok to protest but not to pray at the Kotel. and yes, now after that ruling there are prayers allowed once again at the Kotel. This reminds me of the ridiculousness here in the US that during COVID there could be mass protests but children couldn't go to play grounds and grandparents died alone in nursing homes. The Left in every country is ridiculous.
It confirms that Israeli Supreme Court has also activist judges.
They are useful idiots with incurable NDS virus or with any variant opposing anyone not to their liking.
Amazing how many in the world are deranged. Europe perhaps leads the pack as they commit continent wide suicide
Are you writing about Israel or the "No Kings" protests in the U.S.? Dig down deeply, and I suspect that one will find the same money behind each.
Considering the reality of Israel's daily existence, anti-war protesting while running to a shelter as sirens blare makes these people look pretty stupid. Protest the government, sure, but don't hide that by saying you're against war. As the article mentions WHO is for war? My career Army Dad was a combat soldier in 1950 Korea who once told me in the late '60's "No real soldier ever wants to see a war because he knows the price to be paid."
Leftists bein leftists.
Forgive them Lord for they know not how to think
The Israeli Left sounds like the American Left in protests and criticism of the war. TDS in the US and NDS in Israel. They are both a moral vacuum whose protests are nothing but empty voids with signs that echo the same. They are despicable groups who root for the enemies of their countries through these protests. It's easy to hold up an anti-war sign, very simple. Walk for a few hours, scream moral superiority slogans, while the military puts their lives on the line so they can continue their shouting. This is really not surprising when after October 7th, Miki and Tami Mark, peace activists who were murdered by those they befriended. Their friends said they would continue their work, and while that is noble, it is also far from reality of the situation. Yes, criticism is fine if it is legitimate, but these protests are part of the Left's agenda. What do they actually do to improve or change what they believe is wrong? As you have said, change can come from voting, but when a group still doesn't respect the results, they will proceed as usual.
The author accuses the protestors of gaslighting. I think that this is projection. That 1000 people can gather, during a war against Israel's avowed enemies, to protest against that war, is actually courageous, whether you agree or not - and is also testimony to the strength of Israel's democracy.
It is obvious that these 1000 protestors are protesting the government. But there can be many reasons to protest it. It is probable that most people that oppose the current government - according to polls, a majority of the population - do not oppose the prosecution of the war against the IRGC and Hezbollah. These few protestors do, in fact, oppose that war - which, as the author concedes, is their right - and thus they do not gaslight anyone.
Were the protest held against the government's policies, e.g. against HOW they prosecute this war - such as bribing the economically and militarily non-contributing sectors of society with billions of Shekel just to keep them in the coalition, while pressuring the contributing sectors with ever more taxes and reserve duty days - then such demonstrations would attract hundreds of times more protestors. Everyone understands that this is not feasible when the missiles fly. But their time will come.
The author tries to lump together a small section of anti-war activists with the vast number of Israelis who are clear-eyed about the need to combat their enemies, and that are also appalled at their government, the most incompetent ever, that puts its own survival above all else, preventing elections by all means possible, sowing discord for electoral purposes rather than trying to unify a country that is at war. That has nothing to do with "Leftism". The author is gaslighting us.
Actually, she's right and you're wrong. Fortunately for Israel a large chunk of the leftist protestors are old and the young are very supportive of the government, Israel and Judaism.
Actually you are wrong. If you are supportive of Israel and Zionism, then you oppose this incompetent, anti-Zionist government. You would be right if Judaism were equivalent to the money-grabbing, illiteracy-promoting, military service-opposing ultra-orthodox parties that this government is based upon. But that is not what Judaism is.
I happen to be Israeli and I, along with the vast majority of the country support our government. You make the usual leftist assertions without a shred of evidence or fact.
This is indeed a topic more for Israelis than Americans. As you know there are many jews here in America that are leftists first and foremost. This was most apparent when they supported the notion of court packing here to get control of the judiciary as the left has done in israel at the highest levels.
The fact that the current gov't, which was formed with 64 out of 120 Knesset seats BEFORE the Oct 7 disaster, is holding on to power with its fingernails and is doing everything possible to avert early elections, indicates that they know that they do not currently enjoy the support of a majority of the electorate.
And coloring someone "leftist" does not relieve you from engaging with the arguments raised.