Hamas War

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Great Right Hope

I have no doubts that a very sizable, probably majority, of Israeli Jews are really Right in their kishkes, guts. That's the main reason why Bibi Netanyahu courted Benny Begin for this year's elections. Bibi knew that for many, having Benny on the Likud list would make it "Glatt Kosher" for a lot of Israeli patriots.

The big problem is Benny Begin. He's not a politician and has as much charisma as Castor oil. Arlene Kushner's latest update describes last Saturday night's Election Forum in Jerusalem:
Elections are coming a week from tomorrow, and when we consider the above, it cannot be too soon. Dear Heaven, at the end of the day, may we find ourselves with leaders who will protect our nation.

Briefly here: Polls continue to show Likud in the lead, by how much depends on which poll you are looking at. The biggest surprise is the gain by Yisrael Beitenu, the party of Avigdor Lieberman.

The major candidates held a forum in Jerusalem on Motzei Shabbat (Saturday night). Benny Begin, representing Likud, was a disappointment, as he spoke only against Kadima and did not present a solid and coherent platform for Likud. One senses that Begin, who has a sterling reputation for integrity, is tired and will not be the force within the party that it was hoped he would be.

The star of the evening, according to audience response, was Uri Bank, who is on the list for National Union (Ihud Leumi) and presented a forceful and dynamic vision of what the party stands for. This nationalist, Zionist party is the clearest in its refusal to consider a Palestinian state.
No surprise for me, at least.

2 comments:

goyisherebbe said...

Benny Begin has a serious substance problem besides his style. Like his father z"l he believes in the rule of law, i.e. the gentlemen and ladies in black robes in the courts. This elite, fawned over by the press, politicians and the Attorney General, rules the country and has to be brought down. Judges should either be elected or appointed with open Knesset approval hearings and a vote by the Knesset. We also need electoral reform, but that's been waiting for 60 years and Mashiach will probably come sooner. Vote for either Likud or NU and pray a lot. It's all in the hands of the Almighty, certainly not in ours.

Batya said...

goyish, I agree with most of what you said, except for the "electoral reform."

Think, Gerrymander, and it won't seem so attractive. Think of the the monstrously unfair and distorted districts Israeli politicians and courts will construct.