Very large numbers of Israelis, both Jewish and Arab, have despaired of the political process altogether. They despise all politicians and parties, seeing only corruption, cynicism and self-interest. Others believe that the victory of the right-wing is inevitable. The dominant sentiment is of fatalism, apathy, What Can We Do?
A big new alignment carries the message: Yes, We Can. All together, we can halt the carriage and turn it around, before it reaches the cliff. We can turn bystanders into activists. We can turn non-voters into voters. Masses of them.
REMAINS THE question: who will be No. 1 on the joint election list?
This is a huge problem. Politicians have large egos. None of them will easily give up his or her ambition. I know. I have been through this three times in my life, and I had to contend with my own ego.
Also, the personality of No. 1 has a disproportional impact on the voting public.
Let's face it: at the moment there is no outstanding personality around who would be the natural choice.
A simple and democratic way is to establish the priority by public opinion polls. Let the most popular win.
Another method is to hold open, public primaries. Anyone who declares that they are going to vote for the list will cast a ballot. There are other ways, too.
It would be a tragedy of historic dimensions if petty ambitions were to to cost us victory.
IN THE last few days, identical and similar calls have been published. There is a growing demand for a united National Salvation Front.
In order for this vision to come true, public pressure is needed. We have to overcome the hesitation of the politicians. We need a steady stream of public demands, petitions by well-known and respected cultural, political, economic and military personalities, as well as by citizens from all walks of life. Hundreds. Thousands.
These coming elections must turn into a national plebiscite, a clear choice between two very different Israeli states:
A racist Israel of inequality, engaged in an endless war and increasingly subject to the rule of fundamentalist rabbis.
Or a democratic Israel that seeks peace with Palestine and the entire Arab and Muslim world and equality between all citizens, irrespective of sex, nation, religion, language and community.
In such a contest, I believe that we shall win.
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