Well, I?m still reeling, not very surprised, a bit relieved and a bit nauseous. I?m kind of sick - sick of it all. The public did its duty and gave Ariel Sharon a clear and unequivocal mandate to abandon Oslo and all ensuing peace initiatives with the Palestinians. The question remains, will Sharon read the map right or are we in for more of the same?
The parties that brought the Oslo agreements upon us have been reduced to a mere shell of their former strength. I don?t derive much pleasure from their downfall, as I?m just too hurt and tired. By the way, I am not referring solely to Labor and Meretz, but also to Shas.
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef tried to pull a fast one on the day before the elections by rescinding his land for peace ruling. Is seems that it?s no longer permissible to give land for peace, as ?it is apparent that the transfer of territory from our holy land endangers lives.? I feel the need to respectfully remind the honorable rabbi that a good majority of the unscholarly and, dare I say, secular members of the Israeli public figured this one out long ago. As for the pious among us, well, remember how nine years ago scores of G-d fearing National Religious and Haredi women stood outside of your and Aryeh Deri?s homes carrying candles, torches, and Psalms, while begging you to back out of the Labor-Meretz coalition for the sake of our children, our land and our Torah? In case you can?t recall these events, I still hold copies of the letters and petitions that we hand-delivered to you and to former Minister Deri, as your constituents were throwing ice cubes and eggs at us (I?ve got photos, too). But, thanks anyway for the ruling, Rabbi Ovadia - although it came a bit too late for hundreds upon hundreds of families.
Which brings me to the next issue - Shinui and Likud... The victory for Shinui doesn?t reflect an intolerance for the religious among us, nor a rejection of Torah ethics, but rather a disdain for hypocrisy. You see, it seems the public doesn?t like to see their rabbis and spiritual leaders wheeling, dealing and groveling in the political arena, while avoiding certain national responsibilities. It?s unfortunate that the citizens of this country had to resort to legitimizing a political party with such a painful agenda in order to finally get that message across.
However, contrary to the media spin on the ?great secular awakening?, anyone who watched the scenes at Likud headquarters on election night probably saw an incredible array of black, white and knitted kippot generously scattered throughout the crowd. Before you consider a coalition with Shinui or Labor, remember who your constituents are, Prime Minister Sharon. Ironically, all of those religious people who cast their lot with Likud because it was ?safe?, may be surprised to find out that their cautious vote was indeed a dangerous gamble - if Sharon opts for a National Unity Government over a Right Wing Coalition.
Kudos to The National Union. Avigidor Lieberman, a Russian immigrant and secular politician joined up with two religious leaders from two different parties and formed a unified front. Let?s hear it for true national unity. He also managed to effectively put transfer on the political map. There can be no greater tribute to Rehavaam (?Gandhi?) Ze?evi?s efforts than this.
As for Herut, well... thanks for nothing. I too am a purist and zealot, but keep it on the streets, guys. You serve an important purpose by standing for the ultimate truth and do much to keep issues and our ultimate responsibilities in the public and government eye, but you lack political smarts. To put it in lofty spiritual terms that you can understand, Kingship and Priesthood should be kept separate. Stay out of the political arena.
So Bibi, I guess it?s up to you to use all of your political savvy to keep Sharon on the ?right? path. Don?t disappoint us. You owe it to the ?real? Likud, the Israeli public and to your good friend, Avigdor Lieberman.
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Ellen Horowitz, a painter and writer, lives on the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She can be reached at ilan-acu@netvision.net.il.
The parties that brought the Oslo agreements upon us have been reduced to a mere shell of their former strength. I don?t derive much pleasure from their downfall, as I?m just too hurt and tired. By the way, I am not referring solely to Labor and Meretz, but also to Shas.
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef tried to pull a fast one on the day before the elections by rescinding his land for peace ruling. Is seems that it?s no longer permissible to give land for peace, as ?it is apparent that the transfer of territory from our holy land endangers lives.? I feel the need to respectfully remind the honorable rabbi that a good majority of the unscholarly and, dare I say, secular members of the Israeli public figured this one out long ago. As for the pious among us, well, remember how nine years ago scores of G-d fearing National Religious and Haredi women stood outside of your and Aryeh Deri?s homes carrying candles, torches, and Psalms, while begging you to back out of the Labor-Meretz coalition for the sake of our children, our land and our Torah? In case you can?t recall these events, I still hold copies of the letters and petitions that we hand-delivered to you and to former Minister Deri, as your constituents were throwing ice cubes and eggs at us (I?ve got photos, too). But, thanks anyway for the ruling, Rabbi Ovadia - although it came a bit too late for hundreds upon hundreds of families.
Which brings me to the next issue - Shinui and Likud... The victory for Shinui doesn?t reflect an intolerance for the religious among us, nor a rejection of Torah ethics, but rather a disdain for hypocrisy. You see, it seems the public doesn?t like to see their rabbis and spiritual leaders wheeling, dealing and groveling in the political arena, while avoiding certain national responsibilities. It?s unfortunate that the citizens of this country had to resort to legitimizing a political party with such a painful agenda in order to finally get that message across.
However, contrary to the media spin on the ?great secular awakening?, anyone who watched the scenes at Likud headquarters on election night probably saw an incredible array of black, white and knitted kippot generously scattered throughout the crowd. Before you consider a coalition with Shinui or Labor, remember who your constituents are, Prime Minister Sharon. Ironically, all of those religious people who cast their lot with Likud because it was ?safe?, may be surprised to find out that their cautious vote was indeed a dangerous gamble - if Sharon opts for a National Unity Government over a Right Wing Coalition.
Kudos to The National Union. Avigidor Lieberman, a Russian immigrant and secular politician joined up with two religious leaders from two different parties and formed a unified front. Let?s hear it for true national unity. He also managed to effectively put transfer on the political map. There can be no greater tribute to Rehavaam (?Gandhi?) Ze?evi?s efforts than this.
As for Herut, well... thanks for nothing. I too am a purist and zealot, but keep it on the streets, guys. You serve an important purpose by standing for the ultimate truth and do much to keep issues and our ultimate responsibilities in the public and government eye, but you lack political smarts. To put it in lofty spiritual terms that you can understand, Kingship and Priesthood should be kept separate. Stay out of the political arena.
So Bibi, I guess it?s up to you to use all of your political savvy to keep Sharon on the ?right? path. Don?t disappoint us. You owe it to the ?real? Likud, the Israeli public and to your good friend, Avigdor Lieberman.
--------------------------------------------------------
Ellen Horowitz, a painter and writer, lives on the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She can be reached at ilan-acu@netvision.net.il.