Not every folly is a disaster: the criticism that could jeopardize the change of government

In the chapters of consolation that we read during these weeks, the following verse appears, among others: 'There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne, and there is none to take her by the hand among all the sons she has reared' (Isaiah 51:18). Zion, Jerusalem, the Knesset of Israel are identified by the great prophet of consolation as lacking proper leadership. It is interesting that the use of the concept of a 'manager' (guide) is not so common in prophecy, and it fits precisely with the discourse of our days regarding the need for good management for any public or business body.

A leadership crisis is prominent in our time in many countries, including those considered the most advanced in terms of governance. And not only that, but serious errors in the management of foreign and domestic affairs occur in all prominent countries, democratic ones and those that pretend to be democratic.

Therefore, I disagree with the ease with which people rush to blame the current government of Israel for almost every issue. The mistakes of the USA in managing the Gulf War, considering the intelligence and operational power at the disposal of this superpower, easily 'beat' our mistakes of the last few months.

The problem is that excessive blame can cause a reaction of apathy and disregard not only from those being criticized (and to this we are accustomed, unfortunately) but also from many citizens, who feel that perhaps this is not substantive criticism, but a planned and constant persecution. This feeling could jeopardize the urgent and vital need for a change of government in the upcoming elections.

Not every folly committed by government ministers and their emissaries deserves such extreme criticism. Some of the mistakes, even while being harmful, occur in other governmental arenas. There is no consolation in this, nor is there a reason for forgiveness, but there is a need to set a clear order of priorities.

The main thing to focus on during this election period is the fundamental failure of the current leadership in loyalty and reasonableness toward us. The heads of government do not fulfill the fundamental commandment imposed on the King of Israel:

'that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right hand or to the left.'

The way they relate to many of the hardships of the country's citizens expresses arrogance and severe complacency. Reasonableness — not as a legal term, but as a human requirement — has dissolved. The obsessive preoccupation with maintaining power at almost any cost exceeds everything that was accepted here for a long time. The use of internal disputes for political strengthening contradicts our heritage sharply.

Our trend as a Jewish and democratic state is to return to a decent and reasonable government, which, by the way, was the heritage of the Likud party in the past. Even the emerging split among the opposition parties causes great concern because it stems not from the necessary essential, but from all sorts of additions and amendments that are not essential now.

For the sake of correcting the fundamental failures and for the sake of strengthening the beloved Israel, it is appropriate not to expand the arena of arguments and accusations beyond what is so clear and necessary for us. Therefore, even the hasty definitions of 'right' and 'left' have become loathsome in my eyes. Our decent and reasonable lives require a change of government.