“The other pretenders to the title appear to have forgotten the poor in their tents”

NOVANEWS

Yuval Albashan (not exactly a saint I know) writes in Haaretz:

This time, except for the charming Daphni Leef – who is continuing to run around between the tents – the other pretenders to the title appear to have forgotten the poor in their tents. It seems that the compliments they have received from the establishment about their show of responsibility and levelheadedness (by the way, who wants to see a young rebel leader acting like an old member of Mapai? ) have had an effect. This is not merely sad and disappointing, it is also dangerous. As great as the magnificent hope they created was, the frustration and desperation among those who have been forgotten will be equally great. The price, in the form of deepening alienation and social polarization, will be paid by us all.

Just a few questions for the comrades: if the tent protests and the social mobilization for which they are a short-hand fail totally, or end up bringing the Zionist left in from their long winter — at the moment, both are distinct possibilities — who will pay the heaviest price? Who paid the price of the 40 years of Labor Zionist hegemony, who will pay the price of a severe right-populist reaction if the real needs of Israel’s colored poor are not attended to? Who will pay the price of re-born Mapai hegemony, who will pay the price of National Socialism? More than a few people are clapping, really exulting, at the “failure” of J14, which is yet to fail, and chortling at the naive hopefulness of those looking at J14 with worried hope. I’m sorry if I don’t share your joy.

Technorati Tags: #J14, Israel, Palestine, Zionism

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