Israel Hurting Herself During Obama’s First Mideast Speech

Reading the Israeli dailies on the eve of President Obama’s policy speech at Cairo Univeristy, I was shocked and saddened at the extremism – and tolerance of that extremism – by the right wing in Israeli society.

Posters are being placed around the country depicting Obama wearing a kaffiyeh and shaking hands with Iranian President Ahmadinejad (allowing Iran to build nuclear weapons).  Furthermore, these posters and the official reactions given to the press by these right wing leaders after Obama’s speech consistently call the American president “Hussein,” suggesting that his Muslim middle name reveals Obama’s “true identity” and favoritism of the Arab world over Israel.

I could talk about how ridiculous these communications are and how President Obama is actually very pro-Israel and committed to Israel’s security and peace prospects more than his predecessor, but instead I am saddened.  I am saddened because I am a strong supporter of Israel, her people and her chances for peace.  I am saddened because the way in which Obama is being depicted in Israel shows an ignorant, extremist and immature view of Israel’s leadership.

The sentiment directed towards President Obama gives exceptional insight into the Israeli mentality.  Attacking Obama for being pro-Arab demonstrates an extreme lack of confidence and weakness on behalf of Israelis.  Instead of giving this president a chance to work with Israel, they are quickly retreating to a circle the wagons strategy.  It’s almost as if Israel still believes the Jewish people are living as guests in other countries instead of their own, where they have defended themselves against warring enemies for six decades successfully.  While the rest of the world sees Israel as the most powerful country in the Middle East who holds the majority of cards for diplomatic and military initiatives, Israel’s right-wing still sees itself as weak and threatened whose imminent demise is only moments away.

Furthermore, and most troubling, Israel’s right wing has shown a disgusting double standard.  Jews around the world have fought against anti-Semitism and bigotry seemingly forever.  They have achieved such gains in defeating widespread anti-Semitism and achieving tolerance, which makes Obama’s depiction as wearing a kaffiyeh and calling him Hussein even more disgusting.  What can be more intolerant and prejudiced than that?  What if Obama was depicted with a kipah, a beard and sidelocks?  Wouldn’t the Jewish people be calling that anti-Semitism?  I think so.

If there’s one thing the Israeli right has done well, is testing the limits of free speech.  Now they’ve done it too well.  They are becoming so extreme and dominating Israel’s political conversation that it will no doubt hurt the country and damage any government’s ability to govern.  I hope, for Israel’s sake, that these element of society can look itself in the face and see/hear itself for what it is actually saying.

Blogging From Israel

I’m in the midst of my 10-day trip to Israel, visiting family and friends.  I’ve been around the country now over the last few days.  There’s so much to share but since this is a public affairs blog, I’ll relate my impressions of the local political sentiment percolating through Israeli society.

First, Israel is the most dynamic, opinionated and complex population that I can think of.  Considering its size and population (about 7 million) it’s even more amazing.

I’m here at a time as Israel’s newly elected parliament is about to put together its governing coalition led by Bibi Netanyahu of the Likud Party.  One thing is for sure, this will be a very right wing government.  The one thing that worries me is the new foreign minister will be Avigdor Lieberman, a Netanyahu protege further to the right politically and who positioned himself as the champion of the Russian-immigrant community in Israel (about 20 percent of the population).  His presence in the world diplomatic scene will be rocky to say the least.

Though what troubles me most is the absence of the left in Israel.  This is a country founded on socialist principles and governed for the first few decades of its existence by the left-leaning parties who helped establish the country.  That political establishment is totally gone today.  The Labor Party, and its descendants, are totally decimated, winning only 12 seats in this current government.  That makes them the fourth largest party in Israel. 

Moreover, Labor has succumbed to joining the government essentially at the behest of its leader Ehud Barak’s insistence that the party join the governing coalition.  Of course, Barak will get the defense portfolio and the obvious personal political gain sums up his reasons for signing on to policies that his party would not support. 

But look beyond Labor and its failing leadership, you don’t see any party out there with new ideas and energy to offer an alternative to the right wing parties.  That’s a dangerous scenario for the liberal and even centrist population in Israel, which is substantial.  They would categorically object to the hard-line and religiously oriented positions of this government. 

Talking to people it makes perfect sense why Israel has made this right turn.  First, they feel their backs are to the wall and that the rest of world does not or will not understand their situation where the Palestinians in Gaza fire rockets indiscriminately at Israeli population centers and Israel’s self-defense responses are criticized as unnecessary or over the top. 

Second, some of the country’s major political leaders on the right and the left migrated from their parties to join the centrist Kadima Party.  Today, many people think of them as “sell outs” who were not loyal to their constituents or their principles.  As a result, their popular support has dwindled. 

And lastly, there is no new ideas or leaders from the left.  Israel views that any risk they take for peace has been met with violence and war.  They are tired of taking chances with the Palestinians who they view as constantly violating incremental moves towards peace.  Whether this is true or not, this is the sentiment. 

It is clear to me what is needed in Israel today to get back to a healthy democracy.  The left must come up with new leaders and ideas ready to motivate a population starving for both.  It needs Obama-style politics of hope for a better day.

In fact, the U.S. elections in November coincided with Israel’s municipal elections and the Obama effect was clear.  Long dominated by insider political establishment politicians, voters chose many young, fresh faces to lead their municipal governments.  People I asked here remarked how much their were inspired and hopeful from the Obama campaign. 

There’s some food for thought.  More to come later…