The type of leader Israel needs

Israel’s opposition leader and head of the Yesh Atid political party, Yair Lapid was recently accused of “being the most divisive senior politician in Israel’s history.” What did he do to deserve that distinction? He referred to the right-wing bloc of 2020, as ‘scum’, claiming they stole the country from the rest of Israel.”  

Ori Wertman’s article, “Yair Lapid: Irresponsibility in the name of irrelevance,” tries to build the case that Lapid significantly weakened his political fortunes, going from 24 mandates to six, due to his “divisive and inflammatory rhetoric.”

As an outsider, who lives abroad, Wertman’s analysis is inaccurate. In fact, Lapid’s views are widely expressed by many Israelis, especially now.

During this war, millions of Israelis were bombarded, by incoming enemy rocket fire and had no access to bomb shelters. Add to that, the collapse of many businesses, due to the financial toll the war has taken on their bottom line. Consequently, “scum” might actually be a fitting word to describe the 800 million shekels that should have gone to them but was, instead, allotted to the orthodox sector by the present government coalition.

It’s no wonder Lapid “slammed the coalition over funding for ultra-Orthodox education, calling them a disconnected band of thieves,” Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, concurred, saying it must feel like a slap in the face to the soldiers who have left the comforts of home, family and occupation, to go fight a war for their country and fellow citizens.

Imagining the reaction of these citizens when “the government passed the annual budget, with an additional NIS 800 million allocated to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions,” he can only surmise the betrayal felt by them was immense as massive funds were given to “to a sector that is not there with them, in the mud, the cold and under enemy fire.”

If ever there was a “disconnect,” as expressed by Lapid, this is it! The ultimate abandonment of its citizens is being executed by a government coalition who only considers their constituency, rather than those fighting for the survival of the country.

All this brings me back to why Wertman is wrong concerning the opposition leader. Yair Lapid did not lose popularity as a result of calling the government coalition of 2020 scum. His numbers probably declined because he didn’t call out the corruption of politicians enough. His daily rant should have focused on the disregard of the needs of Israelis who are most deserving of help. 

When complete indifference to half of the country’s citizens is shown, especially the ones who pick up the greatest load as it relates to our defense and well-being, such actions must be constantly exposed, letting everyone know that this is no example of just or fair leadership.  

A recent N12 evening news interview of soldiers, in Lebanon, revealed that some of these men have served consecutively for hundreds of days. One said he’d been there for 700 days. 

Israel is in desperate need of a leader who will consider everyone, understanding that the wide range of political, ethnic and religious diversity is a challenge that must not be ignored, but addressed in a way that works for all.  

Our coalition, comprised of one voice, is only interested in representing their constituents, and that’s why a centrist party is needed, bringing together both religious and secular in a fair and non-partisan way, in order to be more inclusive. 

After all, putting an end to political corruption is something both the secular and religious can get behind. Doling out money to supporters, creating non-essential, paid positions for political pals to be district rabbis, no one wants and trying to push legislation, disenfranchising the non-Orthodox, is just some of what needs to stop.

The religious should especially reject such practices, if for no other reason, because the scriptures teach them to “do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Serving one segment of society is a perversion of those words, because it does not take into consideration what is best for the whole. A righteous and effective leader would not empower a one-sided coalition to act in ways that benefit them, but that’s what is happening now, and most Israelis are fed up with it.

Israel is long overdue for a different type of leader. That will demand someone who isn’t just angry and frustrated with the status quo now and then, but a person who is unrelenting in their ability to daily call out the excesses and inequities of a system which has failed to work for everyone.

It will also require someone who doesn’t just shout about it, but a person who offers creative, alternative solutions, articulated in ways that will bring unity and positivity to an already divided people.  

Israel cannot afford to revert to a sort of tribalism, where the ultra-orthodox see the non-Orthodox as a threat to their way of life.  Sadly, we already have enough people who hate us, without a cause, regardless of what stream of Judaism to which we adhere. Why would we want to add to such an evil paradigm?

Israel’s next leader must internalize the deep rifts and long-held animosities of certain segments of our society, finding a way to fill in the enormous gaps. Perhaps, the best method would be to remind us of our history, what we suffered and what we’ve overcome in order to be the force that we are now.  

A new leader must also remember that Jews are not a monolith. Every story within the pages of the bible is filled with unique characters who, despite their flaws, imperfect personalities and many personal obstacles, were used to bring about victories, redemption and the salvation of our people.  So, who says everyone has to think the same or be the same?

Israel’s next leader must strive to bring out those differences and strengths in a way which will cause us to look at one another with new eyes and a new appreciation. It’s a tall order, but if a centrist party cannot be impartial, then there is probably no political hope for our country.  

Perhaps, that’s the unspoken reality, because without divine intervention, we are doomed to fail, but it sure would be nice to have a leader who believes in doing their best for each individual Israeli citizen!