No, I am not talking about Dian Fossey or the film Gorillas in the Mist. I am referring to the painfully embarrassing low level that Israel's politics have reached. And indirectly but by clear proxy, the society that continuously insists on electing these politicians.
When can you begin to get the feeling that a society has regressed; experiencing some kind of reverse moral evolution, arriving at the national moral level of an empty clam shell? (Didn't want to insult the gorillas' level of relative moral development).
What does it say when Israel's previous Prime Minister Olmert was washed out by suspicions, investigations and impending indictments on "charges of fraud, breach of trust and fraudulent receipt of monies"?
What does it say
when Israel's previous President, Moshe Katzav stepped down as part of a plea deal to receive a suspended sentence "on lesser charges of committing indecent acts, sexual harassment and obstruction of justice." (The former President was finally indicted two weeks ago on charges of "rape and other sexual offense charges" after reneging on his plea bargain last year.)
What does it say when Israel's brand new Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman begins his first week in office with a seven hour police interrogation related to "receiving bribes, money laundering and breach of trust."
Uh, uh, uh. Not so fast with your objections to this laundry list of corrupt politicians. I am afraid to tell you, either way you look at this pattern, the only conclusion is that Israel's electorate and its leaders have totally lost the way. If you believe 'where there's smoke there's fire' then the news is bad; the corruption is clearly widespread and the moral confusion is evident.
But if you are now screaming, "Witch hunt! Politically motivated! Judicial abuse! The media!" then I have bad news for you also. Tell me, what do YOU say about a nation that has institutionalized and made a sport out of eating its own?
Because if you are right, then we are witnessing a nation at war with itself, eschewing few means to get politically ahead by stepping on the other guy's neck. And we see a public that watches, wringing its hands in equal parts disgust and voyeuristic pleasure; an apparently willing and enthusiastic audience at a modern political version of the gladiators at the Roman Coliseum. And if that's the case, then this scenario doesn't speak too highly either of the current moral standards of the nation of Israel.
For completeness sake, I will mention a third possible reaction. If you want to accuse me of being a self-hating Jew for even raising this serious and completely legitimate issue, then be my guest. But once again, that also speaks to a nation that has lost its way.
I know it's very uncomfortable, but whichever way you look at these related events, the only thing one can make out in the mist, is the moral confusion Israel is suffering.
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