Who can guess the name of a new political party to emerge in Israel? Why weren’t trains running last night and why an Israeli law from 1985 stands between Israelis and democracy. “Rick” Berman gives you the week’s top stories as they ought to be told. A weekly feature on +972
By Rechavia “Rick” Berman
(Photo: Activestills)
Well, that was quite impressive. Regardless of actual numbers (and I personally doubt that there were more than 250 thousand people in Tel Aviv yesterday, but I could be wrong), it was a whole lotta people showing a whole lotta faith and hope – and that may be the problem, eventually.
Since the beginning of this most justified and impressive protest movement, I’ve been struggling to understand why, unlike most of my politically like-minded friends, I have not managed to be swept up in the hope and faith. Was it my personal poverty and debt-driven depression? Was it the recent, soul-crushing disappointment in the “hope and change” of the President of my other homeland, Barack Obummer? Was it the fact that I could see no visible path to translate all this energy into concrete political change, due to the lack of any leadership both willing and capable of doing so? Was it the gnawing fact that for all the truly spontaneous ingathering of tens of thousands around the country, the actual initial organization of these protests (with huge stages costing five or six figures easily at each march) was too well funded to have sprung up from the foam on the half-shell and no detailed account has been given as to who was footing the bill? I’m still not certain, but despite having been there last night, having marched the two miles and having stood in the sea of hopeful and well-meaning people, this subjective feeling has not changed.
It is obvious that the current government will not change a damn thing, despite words to the contrary by its various members. “Prime Sinister” Bibi Netanyahu will not, as his chief of staff Eyal Gabbay flatly informed the protest leaders, give up his pet projects, such as slashing corporate taxes to the lowest rate in the OECD, handing out the nation’s land to developers free of pesky zoning and environmental hurdles, or pouring cash into the settlements at the expense of places inside sovereign Israel. Even the “left leaning, socially-inclined” Prof. Trachtenberg, who heads the inquiry committee formed to placate the protesting masses, has stated that he will not recommend “breaching the limits of the budget”. So what, pray tell, is the motherfucking point of the exercise? The current budget, also known as “the document that says who gets what”, is the reason the protest began in the first place.
Not that budgets, or laws passed regarding expenditures, really mean anything in Israel. See, we have this thing called “The Arrangements in the State’s Economy Law”. Originally passed in 1985 as a very draconian (and wildly successful) emergency measure to combat hyperinflation (400% a year at the time) and is since renewed every year (with lightning speed, precluding any and all possibility of true parliamentary oversight of its contents) concurrent with the approval of the actual budget. What it does, simply put, is nullify any parts of the democratically passed budget and of related laws that the Finance Ministry paper pushers don’t approve of. Sovereignty of the elected legislature? Don’t be childish. Thus, just as one example, a law from 1985 mandating free childcare from ages 3-5 (for which parents pay thousands of shekels a month) has been stymied anew every year to this very day. I, for instance, would be in infinitely better shape financially right now had I not been forced to pay those sums for both my kids. But I don’t count.
No change is even remotely possible without annulling this democracy-mocking law, and that ain’t gonna happen under this government – or any other that I can see being elected. The one government that did go one year without it (Rabin’s government, in 1994) quickly yielded to the treasury boys (who view civil service as a bouncing board to lucrative work for various tycoons), and restored it the following year.
Now, under normal conditions, there would be a simple solution – wait about 18 months for the scheduled upcomin’ (as Pappy O’Daniels would say) and replace the porcine-capitalism-loving Bibi with someone who will actually fix the situation. However, there doesn’t seem to be anyone that fits the bill. The main opposition party, the only one projected to have any chance of forming an alternative government, is Kadima – which is even more porcine and more corrupt than Bibi’s Likud.
Labor chief candidate Shelly Yechimovich? Well, for one thing, Labor will be lucky to make it to double digits (which in a 120 seat Knesset, won’t even give you the Treasury in a coalition, much less make you the actual decider). Second, in her short political career, Yechimovich has shown that she will never hesitate to sell out ideals for cynical political calculations. Just as she has renounced any and all support for ending the cancerous occupation, so will she not hesitate to sell out economic and social reform in favor of cozy relationship with fat-cat donors and “hard headed realism.”
So that leaves us with a hypothetical new party, that will come “out of nowhere” and galvanize all the many people who have so clearly expressed their desire for a deep change in priorities. And what do you know? With or without any connection, there is precisely such a new outfit in the works, known as the “National Left”. This new group is headed by a playwright famous for anti-clerical plays and a very unfunny political-satire TV show, a former hatchet-man for Ehud Barak who claims to be born again and disgusted with his former self (I am not sold, myself), with wildly successful, deeply ignorant and viciously “free market” TV anchor and weekend columnist Yair Lapid, son and ideological doppelganger of economically right-wing late politician Tommy, waiting in the wings. Anyone who thinks this is the group that will bring back the welfare state has their head up their ass.
So as far as I can see, there is no realistic avenue by which this outburst of disgust with the current system gets translated into any sort of meaningful change. My friends talk about a fundamental “change of discourse” and so on, but without actual change happening, this will, I fear, merely rot into anger and disillusionment with any sort of peaceful political change. Thus, the next time this impossible repression and exploitation leads to an explosion of anger, it will not be couched in tents and witty slogans, but in blood and shattered glass, in flames and fury. And much as the savage side of my heart may secretly yearn for such an outlet, the brain still knows it will hurt more than help.
So much for the #J14 uprising, which is now expected to wind down, with the tent cities folding in the coming days.
And now to a few short dispatches, on the protest and other matters:
•The Israeli Railways Authority announced a service stoppage for infrastructure repairs last night, which by total coincidence prevented people from some areas from traveling to protest marches last night.
• Journalists at Israel’s State TV have revealed that during the previous mega-protest (the 300K one, 3 weeks ago), they received calls from the PM’s office telling them to stop reporting the number of protesters in the streets.
•As if Bibi didn’t have enough trouble with the protests, his mentally ill wife, who refuses to take her meds (not being flippant here, this is the simple truth), got him into trouble again. Turns out she put up her dying 96 year-old father at the PM’s residence, and by all appearances was paying his private nurse out of the residence’s publicly funded budget. That’s not what got her in trouble though, but rather, once again, her habit of abusing the help. The nurse, a Nepalese foreign worker, accused “Mrs. Sarah Netanyahu” (as she insists on being addressed and referred to) of attacking her, causing her to fall and gash her chin. This of course is not by any means the first time the lady has gotten into trouble for her manner with the plebs who do her dirty work. One such case is pending at court as we speak, something about non-payment of wages, emotional abuse and throwing shoes at her maid’s head. Such are the joys of life under an imperial family.
•I had more to say, including about the terror attack in south Tel Aviv, where a Palestinian attempted to run over kids at a summers-end party – something I fear is but a harbinger of an impending spate, what with the whole PA “statehood” bid (a state that doesn’t even control its own population registry. ’tis to laugh), but the deadline is here and I need to rush and get my kid, since this year we can’t afford the after-school program that allows me to work in peace and quiet until 16:00.
This dispatch has been brought to you courtesy of 972 Magazine and The Weekly Holyland Wrap, which is not responsible for any illusions, sympathies or misconceptions that may have been misplaced on our tours. Please collect your senses and check your comments where appropriate. Thank you for flying the crazy skies.
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Rick’s book, “Jewcy Story”, a popular history of the 2nd Temple Era, can be bought for Amazon Kindle, for cell phone or for PC here.
September 4, 2011
7:28 am
Pretty fair analysis. It is important to remember one thing. Real reforms have been carried out in the past, but there is a secret to it. Reforms such as the British Empire peacefully abolishing slavery. First granting all men the right to vote. Then granting women the right to vote. Having the state give unemloyment insurance and old-age pensions. Ending discrimination in the South in the US.
How were these things accomplished? There were demonstrations, but that was not the key thing. It was due to ACTIVISTS working, day in and day out for YEARS, without any compensation, gathering public support for these things until the idea became unstoppable. Remember that it was wealthy MP’s in England who abolished slavery, even though the slave owners were their friends and social friends, and they were white men. It was the wealthy MP’s and members of the US Congress that gave the franchise to all men, rich AND poor. It was men who gave the vote to women. It was white who gave civil rights to blacks in the US.
It was the true-believing activits who have of their time and money to accomplish the gargantuan job of persuading enough common people of the need for these reforms. It was then that the politicians woke up and found that the people wanted these things, and it didn’t matter which party they belonged to, the idea was unstoppable.
The WRONG thing to do is immediately set up yet another political party. A small party with a handful of seats will have NO influence and its members will almost certainly be bought off.
The ONLY way is to begin doing the hard work, in the trenches, i.e. in the streets. I also think that one constitutional change must be made (one and ONLY one), and that is to go to a constuency system for electing the Knesset, instead of the current proportional system. This will make the MK’s accountable to a discrete set of voters. However, work can begin on the other necessary reforms, if people decide to get involved.
September 4, 2011
8:07 am
Once, again: why do the chickens continue to vote for Colonel Sanders?
September 4, 2011
10:33 am
The analysis isn’t bad, but it falls victim to its own pessimism. Berman sets up a bunch of unlikely changes he thinks are absolutely critical for change, and then determines that change is impossible because these changes won’t occur.
But reforms can occur even without these specific changes happening. Yes, they are key to many scenarios in which reforms succeed but there are also other ways in which they can occur.
For example, one movement I heard about through the July 14 protests is the “Mitpakdim” group, which are trying to motivate more Israelis to take part in the primary process in the three large parties. It’s very practical, and if a substantial minority of the people who took part in the demonstrations do that, they can hold their representatives accountable in a way that’s never occurred in Israeli politics.
September 4, 2011
11:44 am
“For example, one movement I heard about through the July 14 protests is the “Mitpakdim” group, which are trying to motivate more Israelis to take part in the primary process in the three large parties. It’s very practical, and if a substantial minority of the people who took part in the demonstrations do that, they can hold their representatives accountable in a way that’s never occurred in Israeli politics.”
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I don’t recall saying “impossible”. And yes, what you say here above would work. I’d love to see it happen. However, it would take a degree of focus and attention span that I have yet to see from my fellow compatriots. Personally, I think the “Mitpakdim” thing is a National Left front, as people seeking out a party to influence as per the demands of the protest can be expected to reasonably conclude that a new party, without a set power base, will be the easiest to influence. I’d love to be proved wrong.
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And FWIW, it is entirely possible that my depression is tainting my opinion with pessimism.
September 4, 2011
2:32 pm
One thing I don’t understand. isn’t there already a party that advocates much of what the protesters indicate they want? why not Hadash? looking in from the outside, I am truly puzzled why more people are not jumping on the hadash bandwagon. Sure, there’s some communist ideology connection involved, but it’s a rather updated one, much in tune with what the protesters say they want. And what they seem to want, whether they see it or not, is a form of deep socialism that’s not so far from the ideals of marxism. the other thing hadash offers is a party across ethnic lines. Isn’t a joint Arab-Israeli secular party not the best answer to the orthodox parties (in either camp)? despite nice words about ‘we are all in this together” isn’t the religious-secular split at the bottom of this uprising? it’s not acknoeledged, of course, but listening to people talking – that gap is always there, yawning ever larger with each passing day.
What the protesters and their leaders have not said (at least I didn’t see it) is that their struggle is part of the 21st century struggle by the salaried workers who carry the load of economic production against the robber barons who amass ever larger share on the one hand, and the devout and religious who enable them on the other (cf the tea party in the US). Given the lines between the haves and the have nots, and between the devout and secular, is not time to overlook the ethnic differences (which are only superficial) in favor of movements and parties based on shared human values such as the right to liberty, freedom and the pursuit of happiness?
September 4, 2011
3:10 pm
Because Hadash is not seen as committed enough to the Hebrew character (let alone Jewish one) of Israel. Not saying this is right or wrong, just stating a fact of public perception. Also, Hadash is seen as way too wedded still to old school communism, and people don’t want that either. And finally, when the sec.gen. of the main component of Hadash, the Israeli Communist Party, expresses support for the Assad regime because “at least he staunchly resists Israel” and isn’t kicked out forthwith, Hadash has only itself to blame. I figured I’d vote for them next elections. Now I won’t.
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Oh, and Eyal – you do know that the third largest party is, and is projected to remain, Israel Beiteinu, yes?
September 4, 2011
4:32 pm
Thanks for the reply Rechavia. As I said, I’m on the outside so far from knowledgeable about the day to day happenings with hadash or other parties. I know that Dov Khenin seemed like a decent enough chap, and the platform they presented in the last election had many positive points. Didn’t hear about the Assad comment – must be some foot in mouth disease going around. Certainly betrays a lack of political maturity.
As for commitment to “jewish character”; the way I see it, israelis face some difficult choices. Economically they seem to have been living the neoliberal dream (for the oligarchs it’s a dream. For everyone else, nightmare). Politically, they are paralyzed by the “jewish character’ thing, which means that they will not be able to confront the creeping rise of the theocracy to come. To put it in American terms, it’s as if the equivalent of tea party “economics” and christian dominionism came together in a toxic brew. But unlike the US which has a stalled political climate due to the outsized role of money and lobbies, israelis have a chance to change things, at least in the near term. But to do that, IMO they’ll have to confront the occupation question, which is the boogey-man under whose shadow rabid neoliberalism crept in in the first place. I share your pessimism though possibly not for the same reasons. To me, if they can’t confront the obvious problems presented by the occupation regime, how would they ever be able to go up against all the other political factors you listed? it’s like a lithmus test for political courage. It’s either there or not.
September 4, 2011
5:17 pm
It must be weird to live in a country where 20% of your fellow citizens – the so-called minorities – are ostracized for being born from a non-Jewish Mom.
I wonder, it seems the Israeli Left is happy with the discriminations INSIDE Israeli society, and asks only to end the occupation & settelements without wanting to give full civil rights to 20% of its fellow Israeli citizens.
These days I read a lot of comments sneering about J14 “But the elephant in the room?!” aka the occupation, but I didn’t read anything asking for the abolition of ‘ethnic’ discriminations INSIDE Israeli society.
It’s depressing, view from France.
September 4, 2011
5:23 pm
I don’t know what seems to you. I know I’ve been castigating various protest orgs for removing demands for justice for the Bedouins and the Arab sector in general from their list of demands, and many signs were seen Saturday night about the Bedouins (such as “al-Araqib=Tel Aviv”). First we don’t care enough about the occupation, now about Israeli Arabs… I don’t know anymore.
Danaa – Dov Henin is awesome. My favorite current legislator.
September 4, 2011
6:01 pm
Oh, I didn’t mean to hurt & attack you, Rechavia, or anybody else.
And I was speaking only about what I read on +972.
How to say, it seems to me that the novelty of J14 is Israelis, all the Israelis, begin to discover they are after all a people, the Israeli people (80% Jews, 20% Non-Jews); a people ruled by an obsolete political system.
September 4, 2011
6:33 pm
Delicious, delicious, Rick. Concise, fairly comprehensive, lovely illustrations, dispensed with a large dollop of humor. I’ve concluded you are a worthy successor to Art Buchwald. Perhaps you can submit such columns to major US newspapers; perhaps call it something like “My view from over the big pond”.
September 4, 2011
6:36 pm
All of the above comments are great. I’ve learned something about Israeli society by reading them and their responses. I was beginning to fear +972 was just another mutual bashing blog.
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Our host says ” I could see no visible path to translate all this energy into concrete political change, due to the lack of any leadership both willing and capable of doing so? Was it the gnawing fact that for all the truly spontaneous ingathering of tens of thousands around the country, the actual initial organization of these protests (with huge stages costing five or six figures easily at each march) was too well funded to have sprung up from the foam on the half-shell and no detailed account has been given as to who was footing the bill.”
Democracies build on independent organization already present in their societies. The Tea Parties have been described as the secular wing, more or less, of the Christian Right, and they are, I think. The Tea Party bloomed suddently because church organization calling for participation was already in place (I mean church networks, not necessarily pastors, etc.) I have no idea what Israel offers in the way of autonomous, prior group mobilization, but I fear the answer from reading the above column is “not much.” Ben Israel, above, is right than an autonomous organization outside of the election cycle is necessary. But what? I wish someone had polled participants the nights of the marches over how often they voted, for I have the suspicion that the marches are a cry for a different way of belonging, not just to the abstract State, but to micro groups. They want to participate, but they have nothing to do, for decades of political party battles have, perhaps, crippled even the concept of organization alternatives. Clearly nothing can be done vis a vis the State in the short run. Then what do they do?
September 5, 2011
7:02 am
Good piece man. Not to worry about the depression getting in the way of your pessimism. Sun’s gonna explode in a billion years or so things won’t stay like this forever.
Apologies for asking this here but haven’t found any other way of getting in touch – can only find “Jewcy Story” for Kindle. Don’t got one and ain’t gettin’ one anytime soon. Is it possible to buy a copy in any other format?
September 5, 2011
9:33 am
Thanks! Go to my personal blog (linked here), drop me $5 (or more, if you care to), lemme know it’s you who dunnit by email, and I’ll send you a PDF.
Thanks again.
September 5, 2011
10:08 am
“(a state that doesn’t even control its own population registry. ’tis to laugh)”
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What a venomous sense of humor…
September 5, 2011
4:44 pm
@ Rick – your book link (to Amazon) is a 404. Might want to get that fixed for this and future posts. Cheers.
September 6, 2011
1:58 am
Another zinger – keep ‘em coming, mate
September 6, 2011
12:22 pm
Thanks David.
September 6, 2011
12:25 pm
RickyB???? I have been looking for RickyB’s blog for ages – is that u??
September 8, 2011
2:20 am
Yup.
September 14, 2011
5:29 pm
What is a better indication of a dysfunctional government: One with few resources that cannot maintain accurate population records, or one with huge resources that deliberately obfuscates the number of its citizens who have taken up residence in other countries?
Just asking.