There are many legitimate issues that one can have with Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu - regardless of where one stands on the political map. Yet, everyone realizes the man has a supremely difficult task in governing the State of Israel. With Iran amassing nuclear capabilities, a hostile President in the White House, the constant threat of terrorism Israel faces, and so much more, this job requires focus and attention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He’s a public servant and signed up for it. Yet, the disrespect his wife, Sara Netanyahu, faces, is unjust and out of bounds.
The latest media babble involves a report which claims that Sarah “pocketed $1,000 worth of public money by returning empty bottles to supermarkets.” Absurd rubbish. Unfair, unjust attacks. This is the absurdity which the mainstream Israeli – and foreign – media focuses on? Ridiculous, if it weren't so sad.
As PM Netanyahu noted recently, "The media onslaught against my wife Sarah is yet another low for leading sources in the Israeli media. These constant attacks are tiring" – and as he added, “, and “whoever wants to attack my policy in a topical manner - is welcome. Leave my family alone." The man is absolutely right.
In fact, he is so right that even his bitter political enemy, radical extreme leftist Meretz chairwoman Zehava Gal-on attacked "the intifada against Sara Netanyahu." As she noted, “I really do not like the intifada against the wife of the Prime Minister. It has become a national sport to criticize Sara. I do not support her, I don’t support him, and I want them removed from power, but I'm not comfortable with the criticism. The criticism should be leveled at the Prime Minister, not his wife."
Whatever one thinks of the Prime Minister and his family, these personal attacks are simply unjust - and also embarrassing for those who make them.
These are issues about nothing. As the late Israeli singer Arik Einstein said “They act with horrible injustice toward Prime Minister Netanyahu,” and “They abuse him, and I’m simply shocked at the force of the disrespect and hatred …. To what degree can one suck out his life’s blood?”
Leave Prime Minister Netanyahu’s family alone. It is out of bounds and unfair. Netanyahu has enough to deal with. Stop slandering Sara Netanyahu.
Ronn Torossian is an op-ed columnist for The NY Observer, Huffington Post, Wired Magazine – and Israel National News where all of his op-eds can be read here.