Disgust

Once again, the current Israeli government has taken a step that leads us only further towards the end of democracy: Ronen Bar, the head of the 'Shin Bet', equivalent to MI5, has been fired due to "lack of trust between the Prime Minister and Bar". 

This dismissal will of course be challenged in the High Court of Justice, but as the current government doesn't recognise the president of this court and barely recognises this court at all, who knows where this will lead. The government is also attempting to dismiss the Attorney General, because she too does not support the government.

As I wrote¹ on 5 November: Netanyahu said, "In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is needed between the prime minister and minister of defense. Unfortunately, although in the first months of  the war there was such trust and there was very productive work, in recent  months that trust between the minister of defense and myself has been broken." Whilst that might well be true, many people feel that Gallant was concerted with doing his job to the best of his ability - in other words, defending Israel and defeating its enemies. He was hampered by a Prime Minister who as always seems to be more interested in continuing his rule, whatever the cost. Let us not forget whose 'conception' was shattered a year ago. National Unity party leader MK Benny Gantz said in response,"This is politics at the expense of national security." People took to the streets last night in a repeat of the previous "Night of Gallant" although it is doubtful whether these demonstrations will have any effect.  

Substitute 'Bar' for 'Gallant' and there is almost a word for word correspondence with what is happening now. I am totally disgusted by this government (as if I wasn't earlier) and it's very annoying to think that the world views Israel as Netanyahu and not as the voice of the people. I am waiting for the day when the government decides to change the basic law regarding elections and so keep itself in power for ever (I suggested this in 7/23).

As it happens, the first episode of a series about the Beehive/Kavveret group is being broadcast on television (naturally on a channel that our [sarcasm]enligntened [/sarcasm] Communications Minister wants to close; this episode is naturally about the beginning of the group, dating from 1971-3. So I too have been thinking about those days: my first visit to Israel in 1972 and my gap year in 1973-4. Would I have come to Israel had I known what was waiting us?

There was a war in 1973 and the then Prime Minister [Golda Meir] resigned, saying that ultimately she was responsible. We have an ongoing war that started in 2023; several senior army officers have resigned, the head of the Shin Bet is to be fired, but the two people who bear the most responsibility - Prime Minister Netanyahu and Justice Minister Levin, whose 'judicial reform' split the country in two and caused our enemies to believe that we are weaker than we are - don't recognise that responsibility at all. Everyone else is responsible, not them. That reeks of paranoia.

For how long is this going to continue???????

Internal links
[1] 1852

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