 |
Ellen W. Horowitz lives in the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She is a painter, writer and political activist.
|
|
|
|
By Ellen W. Horowitz
November 21, 2002
The National Camp beware: don't write-off the Left. If this terror continues unabated, we could be in for a startling change. And if anybody tells you that things can't get worse, don't believe them. We may wake up to discover that a younger, more energetic Ramon or Mitzna in combination with a Leftist media blitz may overwhelm the old soldier turned grandfather. It has been done before and that just might be what the Left is banking on.
In 1992, the Labor Party used the murder of fifteen-year old Helena Rapp as an effective campaign ploy. Back in those days a single terrorist murder could still send shock waves through Israel. The Shamir government fell and Rabin came to power. And lest we forget, Labor doesn't waste any time. Within fifteen months of that electoral victory, the Oslo accords were signed and sealed.
But let's say, like the polls say (and we all know how reliable they are), that Ariel Sharon does win...
The Israeli public may be more comfortable with the palatable style and leisurely pace of Sharon's approach to peace politics, just as they were with the soothing, consolatory manner in which Begin surrendered Sinai. However, the tranquilizing effect that Sharon has on his constituents and a good portion of the population will simply cause us to limp rather than leap (in Peres-like fashion) down the road to disaster.
The only possible reason Sharon can have for not having physically dislodged Arafat until now, is that he plans to follow through with the establishment of a Palestinian State with Arafat as its leader.
We must act now! It is the very antithesis of Judaism to remain silent while this country bleeds. It is also uncharacteristic of Jews to be unwilling to give a contrite, yet competent individual a second chance.
It's time to derail the Oslo train once and for all. Binyamin Netanyahu possesses the political savvy and personal motivation to do just that. We, the public, have the monumental responsibility to keep him on track.
It is our job to remind him that he is our public servant and if elected, we will hold him accountable for every word of his mandate. It is also incumbent upon the National Camp to insist that the Israeli and international media remain within bounds and to defend the Prime Minister against vicious onslaughts by a slanted press. This was our mistake in the past.
Netanyahu was trying to extract this nation from complex, binding international agreements, while at the same time attempting a stop to an out-of control security situation. All of this in a post-assassination atmosphere, where the Left was determined to wreak vengeance. Netanyahu was lynched in expiation for the murder of Yitzhak Rabin and much of the National camp bought into the deluge of lies.
Day after day the headlines were screaming scandal. If it wasn't Bibi's maid or Sara's temper, then we were treated to the Western Wall Tunnel incident, Begin's resignation, the Bar-On Affair, Har Homa, Meridor's resignation, the Mashaal mishap, bad chemistry with the Clinton White House, Lieberman's resignation, David Levy's Gesher breakaway, and continuous tension/crisis with the Palestinians over the unfulfilled Oslo Accords.
I don't understand how any man can remain standing after receiving so many hits below the belt. Although most of the sludge was never substantiated, it still sits in the landfill of our psyche. Nevertheless, Netanyahu's record with regards to the halting of terror and initiating innovative economic initiatives remains commendable.
The fact remains that under his leadership, terror was reduced to its 1992 pre-Oslo levels. He effectively instituted a policy of "reciprocity" which managed to slow down a runaway "peace" process. And yes, he made the very unfortunate and tragic mistakes of implementing the Hebron and Wye agreements. Whether these errors are "unforgivable" remains to be seen. I prefer to think that they are rectifiable.
Still there are those who simply "can't stand Bibi's personality." They claim he's a "liar" and "deceiver."
It's time for the Israeli electorate to grow up and get real.
We can't hold Netanyahu's remarkable ability to articulate and present Israel's case to the international arena against him. His style and mannerisms are authentic and honest for a man destined for the world of diplomacy and leadership. He has a grasp of world history and events that is more than impressive. His ability to spontaneously respond to complex questions is remarkable and that more than likely indicates that his heart is in the right place. These are not sound-bites that he's delivering to the press, but knowledgeable, thoughtful responses. Netanyahu is a man who has chosen to utilize his talents and abilities on behalf on the State of Israel and the Land of Israel. He did not choose to be a used-car salesman or advertising executive - don't minimize his skills.
The vast majority of us would be tongue tied if a microphone were shoved in our faces. Which reminds me...
Ever thought about the modern application of "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. Let my tongue adhere to my palate if I fail to recall you..."
Many of us are afraid or have lost the ability to both act and speak on behalf Our Land and Our People. Netanyahu still possesses those two skills. I think that says a lot.
I am sure that I speak for many people when I respectfully request that Moshe Feiglin withdraw from the Likud race. We have all worked too hard and too long to stop the "unstoppable process." It would be nothing short of tragic if our efforts were exerted in the wrong direction and resulted in another historic error.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
