As expected, the ministers of the new Israeli government were quick to begin implementing their promised agenda upon entering office.
Many Israelis, especially its Arab citizens, will soon feel the consequences of the new policies, both as individuals and as a community.
The greatest danger posed by this government will remain in its insistence on reforming the judicial system, which will strengthen its power and control over institutions, and allow it to enact new laws, some of them in the spirit of the Halakha (Jewish Law).
Large segments of the Jewish society began to protest the coalition's plan after understanding where it could lead. While many still want it to be a "Jewish and democratic" state and believe that it is possible and legitimate, some have begun to realize that duality is not possible. A true democracy cannot thrive while occupying others.
It is hard to predict where the protests would lead. There is still no clear political path. "Yes to democracy is an important slogan, but it is not enough. The political extremism in Jewish society did not appear overnight and the adoption of fanatic religious, nationalist, and fascist views, is a result of a long-lasting process built on the back of a military occupation that exists alongside democracy and is bolstered by the silence of those who oppose it.
Within Israel and abroad, a fierce debate is being conducted about the importance of participating in the protests against the new government and the slogans that should be adopted for it. We, the Arab citizens of Israel, must listen to this discourse and pay special head to those who attempt to tie the protest to an end to occupation and full equality for Israel's Arabs. By linking those into the protest, Israel could ultimately become a real democracy.
It is true that not all protesters coming out against the government's legislative policies are cognizant of the need to tie democracy and equality, to the end of the occupation, but despite that fact, or even because of it, we must make our voices heard and participate in the effort to affect events.
Arab society and its leadership are invited to support a clear connection between democracy, equality and an end to the occupation.
There is nothing more frightening and disheartening than the silence of victims, and that is the reality in the Arab sector. The majority of Arab citizens succumb to laziness and opt to keep silent while a small portion toy with naive optimism. The dysfunction in our societal institutions is baffling.
Mohammad Barakeh who leads the committee to oversee the Arab sector wrote that he saw the importance of the protests but they were outside the focus of the leadership. Is that why he failed to call on the Arab public to participate in the demonstrations in Tel Aviv?
I would like to see the Arab citizens join the demonstrations alongside the tens of thousands of Jewish citizens, and have an influence on their outcome. I would also like to see similar protests in Nazareth and other Arab cities. It is the duty of our leaders and institutions, and it is the role they must fulfill to face the dangers posed by the current Israeli government.
Our predicament as a society is becoming clear: Mass indifference, lack of institutions and real and relevant leadership.
3 View gallery
Israeli and Palestinian flag during rally against government in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Motti Kimchi )
We accepted the existence of the traditional political and religious parties which led us into a vicious cycle of political futility, while others deluded themselves that the state will keep them safe instead of aspiring for a better future.
We are at a pivotal moment and a challenging opportunity that requires us to take a new position and make a courageous decision about how to stand up against the rise of fascist forces. In the not-too-distant past, I proposed several alternatives, including the establishment of a broad front against fascism that will include both Arabs and Jews who are willing to fight it, including those who identify as Zionists.
I firmly believe we must fight for democracy, in its profound sense, to influence events in Israel and in its Arab sector. Many of us ask: If we continue to avoid participation in the mass protests in Tel Aviv, and are not able to muster crowds to demonstrate in Nazareth, who will protect the teacher who will be fired for a post describing her dream of a national home, or the doctor who will be ousted for smiling at a Palestinian patient? We must believe that we can influence democracy in Israel in general and in the Arab sector in particular. In other words, we must fight for our future and the future of our children in Israel.
First published: 14:30, 02.15.23