By Rabbi Dow Marmur
JERUSALEM — “So, what is this election about? The bottom line: Are we willing to accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for another term?”
So writes Isi Leibler, the Australian-Jewish businessman turned Israeli columnist. Though I find virtually all of his columns totally unpalatable for liberal tastes, I quote him today because he seems to reflect the thinking of too many Israelis.
Leibler reflects on Netanyahu: “There are many reasons to reject him. There is a widespread feeling that, after 10 years, it is time for change. And how can a prime minister with the responsibilities of a state under siege apply himself to his task when his focus is constantly diverted to defend himself from accusations of criminal corruption?”
He doesn’t try to whitewash Netanyahu and refers to “the prime minister’s hedonistic private behavior,” yet he believes, following Alan Dershowitz, the distinguished American-Jewish jurist, that “there is every likelihood that none of the charges will be upheld in court.” This is sufficient for Leibler to urge his readers to vote for Netanyahu, if for no other reason than that the alternative is worse.
He sees no credible different policies in the platform of the prime minister’s major rivals, the leaders of the Blue and White coalition, with former chief of staff Benny Gantz at the helm. Gantz and his colleagues may be “’nice’ guys but political lightweights lacking the ability to step in his shoes.” The fact that the coalition agreement stipulates a rotation between Gantz and Yair Lapid, the leader of Yesh Atid is, in the eyes of Leibler and probably many others, another reason for not electing them.
By contrast, according to Leibler, despite his personal weaknesses, legal problems and dependence on small right-wing parties with dangerous agendas, Netanyahu is “a diplomatically skilled leader of international standing and tremendous intellect.” We’re thus invited to infer that, whatever our reservations, it’s safer to vote for Netanyahu than for his opponents.
Leibler also reminds us that Gantz could only form a coalition with the support of the Arab parties in the Knesset and, consistent with the view in his columns that only his side has all the answers, he doesn’t have anything nice to say about these parties and those who vote for them.
As indicated above, I cite Isi Leibler not because I share his views about Israel and Judaism but because I surmise, alas, that he correctly reflects the views not only of those who blindly support Netanyahu’s Likud party but also of many others who’re not enamoured by the alternatives. I’m not enamoured by them either, but I fear that another term with Netanyahu at the helm, supported by a bunch of right-wing extremists, may turn out to be infinitely more disastrous for Israel than the Blue and White alternative, despite inexperience and whether or not supported by Arabs.
Of course, we wouldn’t be in that bind if, miraculously and unexpectedly, the left-wing parties Labor and Meretz would get enough votes to become a preferable choice as partners in a Blue and White or even a Likud government.
I’m currently reading the late Shimon Peres’ book, No Room for Small Dreams. So why not another big dream?
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Rabbi Marmur is spiritual leader emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Canada. Now a resident of Israel, he may be contacted via dow.marmur@sdjewishworld.com