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Opinion

Who’s Afraid of Israeli Democracy?

December 30, 2010 09:55
1 min read

Haven’t you heard, Israeli democracy is in danger. That’s the latest media talking point on Israel. And where is the threat to Israeli democracy coming from? From its democracy.

Confused? That’s probably because you think that the word ‘democracy’ has something to do with the popular vote and the right of every person, irrespective of their religion, country of origin or accent to vote for the party of their choice – as misguided as the vote may be in some eyes. However, it actually means- the right of media pundits, academics and elitist judges to dictate how the country is run based on the values of a entitled upper class scrambling to hold on to power.

Out of their concern for Israeli democracy, the American media and the Obama Administration have been pressuring Netanyahu to “broaden” his coalition by replacing the Shas party of Middle Eastern Jews and the Israel is Our Home party of Russian immigrants, with the Kadima party. Traditionally, calls for a broader coalition usually mean one that represents more of the country. But due to their fear for “Israeli democracy”, this is actually a call for a coalition that represents fewer sectors of the country.

Liberals who usually value diversity in everything, want to close the door on a broad coalition in Israel. Why? Because Middle Eastern Jews and Russian immigrants tend to be right-wing, and diversity is only a legitimate value when it serves to promote the left. When the right wins elections, the pundits rush to their keyboards to type out an urgent telegraphic warning.