Israel's Coalition: I See Good Things

To be very honest, nothing's perfect, and that includes politicians. Even though the Bennett-Lapid broad coalition doesn't have the exact policies I want, I still consider today's situation superior to the Bibi-chareidi mafia. 

Bibi and his cohorts were sure that they had found a way to stay in power forever. The Likud as the largest political party in the Knesset, along with the chareidim managed to prevent a coalition from wresting the rule from them. They had the country in a stranglehold for a few years. Since Bibi had led the last coalition as Prime Minister, he continued as caretaking or interim PM along with his mafia. Sorry, it may be legal but it's not the sign of a healthy democracy. I also opposed the massive street demonstrations against Bibi prior to the new coalition. That's mob rule, not law.

Then miraculously, Bennett, Lapid, Gantz, Saar and a few disparate parties pulled the rug out from under Bibi and his cronies. They decided to concentrate on what they agreed and formed a coalition. The foulmouthed sore-losers and the political pundits quickly predicted that the new government wouldn't last out the month, but half a year later they seem to be developing strong, stable sea legs...

One of the great standouts as a minister in the coalition is Matan Kahane, Minister of Religion. Way back when in the earlier decades of the State of Israel the NRP National Religious Party held that position. The religious establishment was more mamlachti, Zionist, Bnai Akiva, not chareidi. In more recent years as NRP's younger generation became more ideological and/or open to working with other groups, the party not only lost votes, but it lost its luster, attracting fewer and fewer potential leaders. Every few years the NRP hired a few "front man." Even Naftali Bennett played the role until he got tired of being a "figurehead," 

Today politically ambitious men in crocheted kippot and women in scarves and sleeves can be seen in almost all political parties.  As the NRP got weaker, it lost its leadership in the government's religious bodies, and the chareidim quickly stepped in. The NRP is no longer in the Knesset, and the rabbinate, kashrut and conversion are dominated by the chareidim. 

Matan Kahane in Shiloh, parlor meeting,
March, 2019

Back to Matan Kahane who was new to politics when I heard him at a parlor meeting here in Shiloh, March 2019. I was impressed then, and he hasn't disappointed me yet.

For decades I've been worried about the fact that the "national religious" Jews as a group have been considering themselves "second class," inferior Jews to the chareidim. I don't see chareidi lifestyle and religious "standards" as superior, more genuinely Jewish. And since the chareidim now control the Rabbanit it's only getting worse. 

Conversion to Judaism has become one of the more difficult issues, and I'm glad that Matan Kahane is working on that, plus kashrut.

For those who want to list the "bad" things the present government has done, it's just as easy to find examples of similar and worse done by Bibi. Do you really want Bibi and his mafia back in unlimited power?

Israel's Right United, Right?

Israeli Politics is complicated

It seems that Shaked, Bennett, Peretz and Smotrich have done their pragmatic best to unite their political parties for the upcoming elections. And I'm even happier to see that Moshe Feiglin isn't part of the bloq.

I have no doubt that this hasn't been easy. The NRP is now headed by a political newbie who doesn't seem to have a clue, and there's bad blood between the parties. But for the good of the State of Israel they've figured out how to make a coalition of sorts and run as one party.

They haven't yet published the exact Knesset list, but I'm glad to see that Matan Kahana is included. I was very impressed by him when he spoke in Shiloh a few months ago.

I want a strong Right wing party to the Right of the Likud in the Knesset. Like a strong magnet, it should pull the Likud Rightwards.

Matan Kahana, who may be #7 on the "joint Right list"

Israeli Elections 2019 Redo, I'm Bored & You?

I just can't get excited about the "redo" upcoming Knesset Elections.

For a "political junkie" like myself, this is an awful confession. I haven't a clue as to which party I should vote for. I don't want to "waste" my vote again, but I don't like the choices.

I'm not happy with a lot of what Bibi Netanyahu has done, but the competition is a gazillion times worse.

I can't stand those who control Mafdal, National Religious Party NRP-Jewish Home or whatever they're called now.

The thought of giving my vote to a party that has Moshe Feiglin turns my stomach.

Am I the only Israeli who feels like this? Please, tell me. Try to make me feel better.

It's Friday morning. Shabbat's tonight, and the pool should be open soon. Plus we have a busy family day today Gd willing.

It's summer, and even though I'm on a "full time vacation" now, it's the season to feel like "holiday mode."

Gd willing, it'll all work out...

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

May You have a Blessed Shabbat

No idea what this is, just like no idea which party I'll vote for in the "redo" elections.

The Normalization and Acceptance of The Datiim, Torah Observant

Not all that long ago, you didn't see Datiim, religious guys in kippot holding the microphone, being part of the news team on Israeli television. Datiim were allocated an hour or two a week, for the pre and post Shabbat programs. As far as I know, there were media men who kept traditional Jewish Homes, Kashrut and Shabbat, but their kippot stayed in their pocket when on camera.

After a long break, since IBA Israel Broadcasting Authority closed, we can now watch the  Kan Israeli television stations and the newscasts at home. I'm noticing kippot, and I can't help but to smile.

For me, this is a new Israel.

And since we're in Elections mode, I'll explain the connection. Today's young datiim, aka the "national religious," see themselves as full participants in the State of Israel in a way that their grandparents and even parents couldn't have imagined.

Sociologically speaking, of course, in the early days of the State of Israel, the datiim, were usually educated in the State Religious, mamlachti dati schools. It was believed that without the NRP National Religious Party, today the name has been changed to Jewish Home Party, in the coalition their school systems' survival would be in danger. That's why the NRP had to be in every coalition, and the parents of the students and the system's graduates had to vote for it.

Post 1967 Six Days War, two things happened. One was that the NRP voters became more ideological; they were the most enthusiastic Israelis for settling all the the Land liberated in the war. Two was that the State Religious school system had become strongly part of the Ministry of Education establishment, and the NRP could no longer campaign that they were needed to preserve it. That's one of the reasons the NRP is having such an identity and leadership crisis.

Today's young datiim don't like to be restricted. More and more girls are doing army service, and not as teachers. Their brothers are also taking on more challenges in the IDF.

Israel is the only Jewish country in the world. Our people are an ancient people, whose historic peers no longer exist. At the same time, Israel is a new country and always changing, innovating, growing. Even after close to half a century here in Israel, I find it all very exciting.

Looks Like The End of The NRP National Religious Party מפדל

Way back when, even before the Establishment of the State of Israel, people chose their political party according to the Zionist Youth Movement they were active in. Betar voted Herut, Bnei Akiva voted NRP National Religious Party מפדל etc. A relatively high percentage of Israeli youth were in a youth movement, whether it promoted Leftist kibbutzim, religious moderation or שתי גדות לירדן Shtay Gadot Layarden, Two (Both) Banks of the Jordan.

In the days before internet, television and even a phone in every home, Israeli kids kept busy with their youth movement friends. One's youth movement ideology was one's politics, sick fund, school, address, bank and pretty much everything. Things have changed in Israel, and the political polls show it.

The last surviving and relatively strong ideological youth movement is Bnei Akiva, which has always been connected to the NRP aka Jewish Home Party. In recent decades, the strong ideologues graduating from Bnei Akiva haven't supported the NRP, finding it too weak and compromising on ideology and idealism. Those controlling the coffers and properties of the NRP found themselves in the embarrassing and risky position of having to recruit ambitious politicians from the outside. That's how Naftali Bennett and the more secular Ayelet Shaked ended up running it.

Bennett and Shaked did their staj, internship as party heads and then must have done a secret poll that showed that the NRP voters would vote for them without the label NRP, so they left it and have established the New Right, a name which I consider absolutely awful.

Ever since Bennett and Shaked announced their new political party, polls are showing that the NRP won't pass the minimum votes to get into the Knesset. Read the latest from Jeremy's Knesset Insider.

Israeli society has changed enormously in the half century we're in the country. It's very rare for a country and society to change so quickly.

The "Jewish Home" Joins Hands With Those Who Destroy Jewish Homes

Well, now do you understand why Hatikvah, National Union, Moledet, Marzel's people etc had to establish a strong uncompromising pro-Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) political party? All those people who claimed that we were "dividing the Right" don't know their right from their left.

Hours after the NRP's (once NRP, always NRP) Hershkowitz was proudly and happily announcing that he's the new Science Minister, his coalition partners were proudly and happily destroying Jewish homes and a synagogue.

Bibi Netanyahu's plan is to pacify coalition opposition or rebellion by generously dishing out the perks of cabinet portfolios.

Netanyahu, like Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon, has an emotional need for world approval and aims to "... reshape his reputation as a foe of the peace process..." So like his Likud predecessors, he will do everything he can to show that he isn't Right wing. Well, he's wrong, not right.

And the new National Religious Party, shorn of its principled idealistic members, is reverting to its former status as "partner to anyone in power."

G-d save us!
Chodesh Nissan Tov!

Bibi And Barak or "If You Thought Likud Was Right Wing, You Goofed"

When I heard Bibi Netanyahu last summer at the International Jewish Blogger Convention, it just reconfirmed what I had thought all along. Bibi sees himself as Centrist, not Right and will do anything to build a Center, even Center-Left coalition.

Bibi wants Barak. He doesn't want Avigdor Lieberman as his second in command. Bibi isn't interested in having the National Union in his government, either, though he'll try to make a deal with the NRP. And the NRP, (call it Jewish Home if you want, but it's still the NRP,) shorn of its principled idealists who went to the NU, will happily find an excuse to be part of the Bibi coalition.

NRP-Jewish Home Should Close The Business

There was a very large choice of parties to choose from in this year's Israeli Elections, but not all got in.

There's lots of talk that the "far Right" Ichud Le'umi (NU) and Jewish Home (NRP) would have done better if they had stayed united as one party. That talk's from the media and those not involved. I think there would have been a lower Right turnout and fewer seats. Most of us, who had voted for the united party last elections, were disgusted, frustrating and wondering what to do with our precious vote.

Before the previous elections had I tried volunteering for the party. A few dozen of us English speaking/writing activists showed up at the NRP building on King George St., Jerusalem. We were armed with enthusiasm for a united political party of Moledet-NRP etc. We found the NRP spouting tired old slogans and knew that we were in the wrong place.

That's why Arieh Eldad's supporters established Hatikvah, but the brilliant professors backing him haven't a clue how to succeed in politics. So, again, I felt shut out. The reconstituted National Union suits my ideology. It was just very last minute and therefore didn't reach its potential. Yes, it has potential. The NRP-Jewish Home doesn't. The vast majority of its voters are old. For many it's the party of Bnai Akiva and high school memories. I come from a different world and don't have those shared memories.

Today's Israeli youth remember how disappointed they were with the NRP during Disengagement and Amona. Even their school system is in crisis. Many parents are looking for alternatives to the state-run Mamlachti-Dati system and Bnai Akiva High Schools.

NRP-Jewish Home should really close its doors. Their name change was just a PR act. The best of today's Israeli youth reminds me of the idealism of my own in the 1960's. We rejected the platitudes of our parents and looked for genuine meaning. The "sixties" wasn't just "drugging out." For those who went in that direction, it was a rejection of the post-WWII staid materialism. For many of us, our reaction was activism and idealism. That's what brought me to Torah Judaism and Zionism.

Today's national religious zionist youth (lower case letters) sees through the superficial images. That's why they live on Biblical hilltops or in non-religious cities to make a difference. The ones who have dropped out, or "took off their kippot," are obviously another story. But they're not NRP voting potential either.

Don't forget that Bibi didn't win big, because he ignored his potential voters by his words and actions. And the NRP is lucky to have made the cut this year. Its ideology is no longer relevant or attractive. Lieberman's Israel is Our Home and Ketzela-Eldad's National Union spoke clearly and got votes.

Now we're waiting for the official final distribution of Knesset seats and the coalition bribery/negotiations.

Hashem Ya'azor
Heaven Help Us

Last Minute Pitch, Why vote for the Ichud Leumi?

Not my original text, but I agree with it, so I'm posting it. It was sent out by Uri Bank.

Why vote for the Ichud Leumi?
Because our list is comprised of a group of leaders who have the absolute best track record when it comes to building up and protecting Eretz Yisrael. Responsible leaders of clear vision who see the reality for what it is and forewarned about everything that in fact happened in wake of the hallucinatory "peace" plans, based on giving parts of Eretz Yisrael over to Arab sovereignty.

Because the Ichud Leumi was successful in uniting five different parties and of the fact that we have Secular Jews and Haredi Jews as a central part of our leadership and constituency. Our commitment to cooperate with one another is not out of political need, but out of an ideology of Achdut Yisrael and together we create a much stronger force to fight for Am, Eretz and Torat Yisrael.

Because the Ichud Leumi is the only party that totally negates the institution of another palestinian state west of the Jordan River or any other type of giving land/sovereignty to Arabs, as well as being the only party that is promoting any kind of viable alternative peace plan that will bring real peace to Israel (see: www.Israelinitiative.com).

Because our Chairman Ketzaleh and MK Uri Ariel have done no less, and maybe even more, than the Mafdal reps. when it comes to securing government funding for the Zionut HaDatit institutions and Arutz 7 and you can bank on the fact that they both will continue to do so with their proven talents and track records.

Because on top of all of the above - you get one thing more... Uri Bank. The Jerusalem Post has recently named Uri: "the only Anglo candidate running with a party currently represented in the Knesset who has any chance of getting elected." He has formulated an initiative to help cut through the red-tape and injustices that many times accompany Western Olim absorption into the Israeli society and work force. Please see the attached document for the full details of this initiative. According to the most recent polls, Uri is the one who is now on the cusp. Voting for the Ichud Leumi will likely get him into Knesset, where he intends to serve as the Anglo Community's Congressman, to whom he will be accountable.


Why not vote for the Likud?
Because Binyamin Netanyahu is going to be the next Prime Minister even without your vote. Now the real issue is what will be the make-up of his coalition and if we will be able to influence the guidelines of his government. We've already seen him in office and know all too well that he cannot be trusted when it comes to the issue of capitulation of land and giving-in to the palestinians. (Remember - he shook Arafat's hand, gave them control of Chevron and voted for the cruel and senseless expulsion from Gush Katif and Northern Shomron). It is crucial that the Ichud Leumi get enough seats in order to become a force that Netanyahu will have to reckon with and include in his government. None of the other parties can be trusted to force him to include loyalty to the integrity of Eretz Yisrael and the settlements in his governmental guidelines.

Because Binyamin Netanyahu, Limor Livnat, Silvan Shalom, Yisrael Katz and Yuval Steinitz - who are central leaders on the Likud's list - all voted in favor of the disastrous and senseless expulsion plan, that only brought pain and suffering to the expellees and the residents of Southern Israel.

Because up until this moment, despite all that we've been through, the Likud absolutely refuses to negate the institution of a palestinian state in Yehuda, Shomron and Azza in their platform and their official party press statements.


Why not vote for Yisrael Beiteinu?
Because Lieberman has explicitly stated time and again that he is willing to vacate his home in Nokdim and give parts of Yehuda and Shomron and Eastern Jerusalem to the palestinians in order for them to establish a palestinian state. (Yes, I know it's hard to believe given all his posturing regarding his animosity towards the Arabs, but the fact remains that this IS his explicitly declared diplomatic plan, which places him even further left than the Likud...)

Because this party has anti-Orthodox elements, sentiments and legislation proposals, all of which undermine the Jewish nature of the State.


Why not vote for the Bayit Yehudi-Mafdal?
Because the new Chairman of the party Prof. Rabbi Herskowitz has explicitly said that he can live with his party being "neither right nor left wing" and with its members being given leeway and freedom on issues relating to Eretz Yisrael.

Because the previous Chairman Zvulun Orlev (the current #2 on this list) continued to sit in Ariel Sharon's government even after this government decided to expel the Jews of Gush Katif and Northern Shomron -thus contributing to Sharon's ability to actuate the expulsion plan.

Because this is a small, sectarian party that caters only to the National Orthodox community and does not serve as a bridge between the secular and orthodox sides of Israeli society. This is proven by the fact that they have never agreed to put a non-orthodox Jew on their list for Knesset.

Ichud Leumi: Revolutionary Reform for Western Olim

MK hopeful Bank hopes to 'Bibi-sit' Likud on olim rights, Palestinians

Interview with Uri Bank of Ichud HaLeumi

The only candidate Anglos can 'Bank' on?

At JPost Debate, Uri Bank states: "The land of Israel belongs to us and not the Arabs"

If You're Planning on Voting For NRP, Do It For The Right Reason

Yes, there is one reason only to vote for NRP, Jewish Home, whatever you want to call it, it still has the "Bet" letter on the ballot.

There are innumerable reasons not to vote for it. Here's an example:


But if you want to rationalize, because of your strong addiction/habit, IMPO, the only legitimate reason is because it has a vote sharing agreement for "surplus" votes with Ichud Le'umi.

The Right Direction?

Double hat-tip to IMRA

My blogging about my imaginary political party is just an act of desperation. I'm just a grandmother, blogger and burnt-out EFL teacher. I blog about Zot Shelanu to give a broad and detailed "hint" to those who are wiling to devote their lives to being "politicians."

The Jerusalem Post now reports that the NRP-NU are trying to put together some sort of united Right wing traditional party. Considering that the people quoted are the same failed politicians whose careers began with the National Religious Party, I'm still afraid that it's their desperate attempt to salvage the NRP. I would be more relieved and trusting if Arieh Eldad had been quoted, too. He's the key to a broader group. The problems they've had in the past are rooted in the lack of good chemistry between them. The agreement they had made prior to the previous elections was horrible. They pushed him out, even though many voters and potential voters davka wanted Eldad and not the NRP type.

Considering the recent polls, it shows that properly packaged, a broad-based all Jew Right-wing party could do very well.

Greatest Threat Facing Israel

With regard to the greatest threat facing Israel
24% Arab countries including Iran
24% Corruption
22% Poverty
12% Terror attacks
07% Demographic issues

The KEEVOON poll also repeated a question from the poll they carried out in
2007:

Is Israel headed in the right or wrong direction?
2008 poll: Right 24% Wrong 60% Don't know 16%
2007 poll: Right 16% Wrong 74% Don't know 10%

IMHO, Zot Shelanu, or any party taking our platform, could do very well in the next Israeli elections.