There is a classic Israeli song which juxtaposes the bitter (the bee sting) and the sweet (honey) of Israel’s history. So today the State of Israel memorializes its fallen soldiers and tomorrow it will celebrate its Independence Day, back-to-back. There is even an evening ceremony as the nation transfers from a mood of solemnity on the Day of Remembrance to one of celebrations on Independence Day. This is Israel’s national character formed around the bitter and the sweet and it is the source of Israel’s internal national strength.
This year, in light of the political tension that has continued in Israel for the past several months and the anti-Government demonstrations which have been occurring weekly, even some of today’s sacred moments at memorials and cemetery gatherings have been touched by the tense national mood.
Israeli soldiers travel around the country placing Israeli flags on the tombstones of the graves of every individual who has fallen during the wars or through terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, Israeli Government members step out to address gatherings at the military cemeteries throughout the country. Today, however, at a number of cemeteries, the solemnity of these moments have been disrupted. In some instances, there have been addresses by some of the more controversial members of the Knesset. In addition, there was even some bickering among families who were grieving for their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons.
The political tension which exists within Israel itself, spilled over last week when the international Jewish bodies—the Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization, and the General Assembly of Jewish Federations of North America (GA)—all began their meetings. These world-wide groups all had assembled at the same time to celebrate Israel’s 75th birthday. These meetings were confronted by Israeli protests in the streets against some of the Israeli leaders who met with the conferees. The GA found considerable anti-Government protests among its attendees as well. This appears, that lest he get an unpleasant welcome, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opted to cancel his long previously scheduled appearance at the meeting. This unprecedented cancellation was a further indication of how far the political unrest in Israel has spilled over even to Jews in the Diaspora.
The sadness which prevails at a moment when Israel should be marking an extraordinary moment of reverence and joy is unmistakable. Rather than the exuberance anticipated on the occasion of Israel’s diamond anniversary, there was a sense among many Jewish leaders from around the world that Israel’s current leaders were taking the country in an undemocratic direction. There is a lack of trust in Israel’s leaders who, although duly elected, are being perceived by many people as trying to change the Israeli political system radically.
Next week when the Parliament re-convenes Israeli domestic politics will get down to business, but many parts of the judicial reform package will be within hours of receiving a final vote. Whether there will be a compromise, or a genuine reconsideration of the Government’s proposals is questionable. All the coalition members have too much invested in having their agendas adopted so that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Government could fall if he fails to deliver on the political deals he made with his partners. It is this sense of unrest and anxiety which is turning this unique moment in Israel’s history to one of serious fear and unease.
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A Congressional Political Note
In light of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s continuing medical issues which are encumbering her return to the Senate as well as her noticeable cognitive decline, the Senator continues to be encouraged even more forcibly to retire. Governor Gavin Newsome did declare his intention to appoint a Black woman as her replacement should she retire. He might wisely avoid placing himself in the middle of the 2024 California Senate campaign if he were to appoint Representative Nancy Pelosi to serve for the balance of Feinstein’s term. The former Speaker has already indicated that she did not intend to run for re-election to the House in 2024. A Senate appointment would be a rather sweet end to her political career; would bring the Democrats in the Senate back to full operating strength; and should allow Newsome wiggle room out of his previous pledge.
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