TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM
Grieving Israelis hug each other in Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv.
Big teddy bears have been brought next to the fountain. Each bear’s eyes are covered with a black mourning ribbon. Attached to each teddy bear is a picture of a child or young person kidnapped by the terrorist organization Hamas.
Both children and adults come to photograph and pet the teddy bears. Many find it difficult to hold back tears.
The grieving nation is facing big things. Analysts of politics and society say that Israel is at a turning point.
The massacre and kidnappings committed by Hamas three weeks ago have raised the feelings of anger, fear, disappointment and disbelief in the people. The relatives of those killed and kidnapped seek explanations for the failure from the government.
Tal Carasso gives the military absolution for the time being, but not the government.
– Unfortunately, the government failed to protect civilians. It is not a secret, but obvious to everyone, Tal Karasso estimates.
Abandoned people
The political movement against the government has continued since last winter. The people have protested in the streets Benjamin Netanyahu the government’s plan to limit the position of the Supreme Court.
Professor of Sociology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Yael Berda sees a very great danger in the government’s intentions.
– Netanyahu is trying to bring about an authoritarian coup. If the government survives it, society will not survive, says Yael Berda.
He estimates that the people increasingly want to get rid of Netanyahu’s government. According to him, the nation now feels that it has been abandoned and left alone to bear the national trauma caused by terror and kidnappings.
Yael Berda estimates that this is slowly unraveling in opposition to the government.
Professor Yael Berda believes that people disappointed with the government in different ways will soon find each other. It is the seed of greater political change.
– People find it unbearable that the government has abandoned them and at the same time violated the agreement between the state and the citizen.
To leave or to stay?
So far, people’s solidarity with each other has made them act together and help those in need. If things don’t improve and the otherwise divided society doesn’t heal, then Yael Berda also sees another way.
– People’s disbelief can also erupt in such a way that they turn their backs on Israel. They think that why am I staying to raise my children here, where we have been abandoned.
A student sitting in Dizengoff square Ido Vaknin says that many young people are now in the stages of two. Should you stay or take the easier option and get on the plane?
– Many are already leaving to look for work, but there are also those who don’t want to live here anymore, says Ido Vaknin.
He emphasizes that “there is an old guard in the government, which does not do much to improve things”. That’s why decent people are needed in power.
– The young generations have to come forward and take over power and influence, says Ido Vaknin.
According to Yael Berda, the trauma caused by the last few weeks can, on the other hand, become a driving force for Benjamin Netanyahu.
– There is a great danger that he will try to push through his legal reforms in the near future under the guise of trauma.
According to Yael Berda, it could eventually lead to the Israelis not being able to get rid of the government, even if they wanted to.
“Netanyahu is out of touch with reality”
Political commentator from Jerusalem Mitchell Barak does not believe that Benjamin Netanyahu will leave the stage easily, but tries to stay in his position.
– He is completely disconnected from reality. He sees himself as the greatest leader in Israel’s 75-year history, says Mitchell Barak’s blunt assessment.
Mitchell Barak says Prime Minister Netanyahu only speculated publicly for the first time this week that he would have to answer questions.
– He didn’t say that he was responsible for the events. And he won’t say it.
In addition to the fact that Benjamin Netanyahu does not talk about his responsibility, he also does not bear it in front of people. According to political commentator Barak, the prime minister simply does not dare to come to the people.
– He only meets soldiers. With ordinary people, he would be outraged.
Towards consensus
Mitchell Barak sees that Israel’s political landscape is changing.
– Many politicians are put out of office and many simply leave the scene.
He also thinks that the different parties are now finding each other and that political change is possible. People are now united by the demand that politicians must also be held accountable.
According to Mitchell Barak, we are now looking for a consensus. Now we realize that if there is no consensus, then people like Netanyahu will be able to roll over.
– This is the lesson that the last few weeks have taught.
Political commentator Mitchell Barak says the coming change for Israel is very big. It is necessary to rebuild the state, its army and political system. He hopes for new faces to replace the old ones in that change process.
– Netanyahu chooses incompetents for his government because they are not a political threat, therefore the mediocrity and clowns of the current administration must be taken out, says Barak.