Tag: Elections

By Ari Bussel

Editor: John R. Houk

1/31/15

Ari Bussel writes a bit of a eulogy for Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister of Israel. This is essay is less of a criticism of Netanyahu and more of a – Netanyahu’s time has gone full circle and it is inevitable for new Israeli leadership to take the reins of leadership to keep Israel a sovereign Jewish State.

If you have read any of the blog posts here in the past you know that I am a staunch Christian Zionist that supports the concept of a Jewish State embracing the full Biblical capacity of its borders. That means a one united Jerusalem with full sovereignty over the more correctly called Judea-Samaria labeled as the West Bank named as such after British-led Jordanian troops (then the Transjordan Arab Legion) vanquished the newly independent Israeli forces standing for Israel in 1948. Jordan’s King Abdullah annexed the area west of the Jordan River as part of a sovereign Jordan. Does anyone ever wonder why five or six invading Arab armies – including a contingent of pretend Palestinians – sought to destroy independent Israel in 1948 and yet Jordan annexes land west of the Jordan River rather than establishing an independent Jew-hating Arab State called Palestine?

The Israeli Right – Israel’s version of a religious Right – may not appreciate my Christian Zionist reasons for supporting Israel. My reasoning is centered on prophecy that Israel needs to exist as at least one condition for the return of Jesus Christ. Not a popular thought of either Jewish Left or Jewish Right. History has given Jews ample reasons to mistrust Christians via a millennium antisemitic dealings by Christian religious leaders and Christian Kings that have led to expulsions, forced conversions and violent pogroms.

In my own personal views, my take on Jews accepting Christ as their Messianic Deliverer depends more on Jesus’ return than any Christian evangelism. For me this is especially the case with Jews worldwide and in Israel being fractured religiously and secularly in their life outlook. Why mandate something that is in God’s hands. Does anyone have a clue for the reason Jews have remained a distinct people even after they were kicked out of their own land and have existed under persecuted circumstances from Christians, Muslims, Communists, and Nazis and probably even a longer list? The Jews are in God’s Hands as the People of Promise regardless to what any non-Jewish person believes in any kind of antisemitic stand.

Anyway … I really don’t want to take away from Ari Bussel’s essay with my Christian-Right-Zionist rants. Oops, I already did.

There a couple of people in Ari’s essay you should look up on your own.

If you are an American following Israel’s politics even a little bit you are probably aware of the Leftist leadership of Tzipi Livni. Livni has been the promoter of Israel’s ‘Peace in our Time’ appeasement to Arabs calling themselves Palestinians believe ‘Land for Peace’ will solve Israel’s Jew-hatred of Jews.

You may not so aware of an emerging leader of the Jewish Religious Right known as Naftali Bennett. Bennett has an interesting One-State Solution involving the three sectors of Judea-Samaria (A, B and C) that guarantees a One Jerusalem and total Arab autonomy yet without national sovereignty. Ari Bussel suspects Bennett will eventually replace Benjamin Netanyahu as the leader of Israel’s Right and seems to indicate Bennett’s ideas will ensure Israel statehood more than Israel’s Leftist ideas.

I did a little digging on Naftali Bennett. Here is some suggested reading:

o   A New Plan for Peace in Palestine (WSJ 5/20/14)

o   Why Naftali Bennett Is So Unwelcome in Washington (Hint: Many Israelis Back Him) [Jewish Daily Forward 12/10/14]

o   Naftali Bennett’s annexation plan: A report card (972Mag.com 12/25/14)

JRH 1/31/15

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Farewell to Netanyahu

By Ari Bussel

Sent: 1/30/2015 9:06 PM

The current Netanyahu government was not only the longest-serving but likely one of the strongest in recent memory.  But like all things, it is coming to an end, as it must.

Holding on to power is addictive, and those at the helm are thus reluctant to relinquish the power, explaining to one and all, and persuading themselves first and foremost, that they are the only viable alternative.  Except in life, I learned long ago in the military, everything is replaceable; everything has its time.

On March 17^th, a new election will take place in Israel, and if I gauge the blowing winds correctly, President Rivlin will task the formation of the new coalition government on the “Zionist Camp” (a misleading term self-chosen by the centrist-left party).

Be warned, my faithful reader, I neither attempt to be a forecaster nor a prophet, for only fools will do that.  Quite on the contrary, I sense those very subtle vibrations under the surface, the whims and whispers no one expresses out loud but that can be felt radiating from Israel’s being.

In every election, there is a tipping point where one can feel the momentum gathering and a shift toward one side or another (or against all sides altogether, when there is very little interest in an election cycle).

Much can change in the next forty-some days, although the overall discontent with Netanyahu is palatable.  Is this surprising?  Not in the least.  The academia, media and judicial echelons have long shifted toward the left, and Netanyahu, for them, is an obstacle; a most formidable, thus requiring crushing.

In and of itself, this last statement is a great testament to the strength and true value of Netanyahu.  Like Israel – the only obstacle in the spread of radical Islam to establish a global Islamic Caliphate – Netanyahu is the only fort standing tough and stubborn against a majority of Israelis who befell to the nonsense of “peace”-by-sacrifice.  (No rational human being will enter into “peace” when the other side capitulates in advance, inviting – just hit me more, please, do as you please.)

Netanyahu is not very concerned, so it is felt, with the common person.  Thus, Israel has become a country of haves and have-nots, with the abyss between the two ever growing.  I feel it too, and I should not, for I am but a casual observer, a visitor.

As for the majority of Israelis – those who live very well, travel regularly overseas and generally enjoy life – Netanyahu’s realistic approach to life in this neighborhood is an affront to their delicate senses.

I am already preparing a clean handkerchief and feel the anger building up inside me:  How dare Netanyahu be the only obstacle to Peace in Our Lifetime (well, he and the “Settlers” of course)?!!

They – Israel’s majority – want peace.  They do not want to serve in the military or in reserves any more.  They want “two people, living side by side in peace,” and long ago they befell the euphoric mirage of “just give back the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and peace will imminently arrive.”  [There are not enough double quotes to correct the numerous fallacies in the previous sentence.  Each word shouts to be corrected, but let us leave them alone for a moment. (Blog Editor: Bold Text mine – not in original)]

Israelis are a very smart people, and yet they act in most irrational manners.  For them, Netanyahu is the obstacle to peace, as he stands safeguarding Israel’s security now and in the future.

Livni, for instance, the second in command of the so-called “Zionist Camp” has already admitted long ago to the need to divide Jerusalem.  She became belligerent when exposed but will not change her position.  So the battle lines are clear.  There is one true leader with his legs grounded in history, reality and the future, and across there is a leader who talks the same talk the enemy speaks in English to Western ears.

When push comes to shove, the two leaders will end up indistinguishable, acting to defend and ensure the survival of the Jewish state.  Except, one was complicit in bringing the day when drastic measures are necessary (and was busy blaming the other), while the other did everything possible to prevent that day from coming.

Israelis, exactly as happened in the USA six and two years ago, will most likely bring about a new government, and oust Netanyahu for good (for once out of the system, a new leadership will emerge, like a new life sprouting after a forest fire).

Democrats have lawfully elected and re-elected President Obama, issues of Mickey Mouse and some dead people voting or voting multiple times notwithstanding.  Thus, we – Republicans – cannot complain and have to respect the person sitting in the White House, or at the very least the Office of the President.  This said, we are praying constantly there will be a US of A to save once this ordeal is over, that the damage inflicted will leave us able to stand up and rise again.

What will be in Israel?  Israelis must learn a lesson, the hard way.  My father, Dr. Bussel, says that for education we pay.  The same will be true in Israel. 

A majority is convinced that the way for peace and prosperity is by relinquishing any right we have.  Judea (the root of the word Jewish) – needs to be given “back.”  Jerusalem (the very beating heart of our being) – is de facto to them “divided” (how quickly do these “Zionists” forget 1967 and 1948 and the forever United Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as they apparently oblivious to the two thousand year craving for Zion Jerusalem).

So strong is the urge to have the center-left rule, once again, that Israelis feel an urge and will stop at nothing to make it happen in the upcoming election.

The President then tasks the formation of a new government to the head of the party most likely to succeed in building a coalition of more than 60 members (more than half the 120 members of the Knesset).

What does the Future Hold / Is Israel doomed? [Bold Text Editor’s]

Unlike the USA during the last presidential election (and at the moment in the upcoming election), there is a viable alternative in Israel.  He is not a “one-timer,” candidate of the flavor-of-the-moment.  He has proven himself time and again.  He stands on a firm basis of ideals and values, and he is willing to try and fail.  What he lacks in experience, he gains in motivation and willingness to err and rise again.

His name is Naftali Bennett, and he heads a party The Jewish Home (Habait Hayehudi).  The party is likely the third largest at the moment, but in the high seas, as every wave threatens to swallow whole a tiny ship called Israel navigating the rough waters, it can turn to be the largest party and Bennett be assigned the task of forming the new government.

Bennett is made of the same matter true leaders are made.  Definitely Begin, Golda, even Ben Gurion.  But do not let this analysis or momentary comparison go to his head.

Politics, Everywhere

The United States, currently playing poker and politics all at once, must be ready.  On the one hand, the President refuses to meet with Netanyahu just weeks before the upcoming elections, on the other hand, a full contingency of his election advisors is here in Israel to make sure that “Bibi goes home.”  I will not be surprised if the American Embassy in Israel keeps meddling in Israeli political affairs as it has done continually in the service of the Commander in Chief.

It is indeed an end of an era; Netanyahu’s.  A new label was recently attached to Netanyahu, “the modern-day Churchill.”  But does Netanyahu really need to talk before another joint session of Congress?  Is it not up to us – Americans – to decide if we want a reconciliation and submission to the Iranians, a la President Obama, or standing firm, as do Russian and China?  Do we need a foreign leader, Netanyahu, to come and tell us the folly of our ways?  One must remember:  Many Americans still believe in our President, so we too will eventually pay a price.

In a very similar manner, Israelis will pay a dear price if Livni and her cohorts are to lead Israel after the elections.  Except, that in politics, contrary to all expectations, it may be neither Netanyahu nor the so-called “Zionist Camp.” 

Netanyahu has done tremendous things for Israel, but a new generation is about to take his place.  Bennett does not talk about being the next prime minister, making him the perfect candidate and the more serious of all.  Humility is a virtue, and a man displaying this and other traits inside, not as a peacock displaying his feathers, is indeed deserving to lead the country.

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This is the latest in the series “Postcards from America – Postcards from Israel,” a collaboration between Zager and Bussel, a foreign correspondent reporting from Israel.

Ari Bussel and Norma Zager collaborate both in writing and on the air in a point-counter-point discussion of all things Israel-related.  Together, they have dedicated the past decade to promoting Israel.

© Israel Monitor, January, 2015

First Published January 30, 2015

Contact:  bussel@me.com