Sir, - There is no room for doubt about the fact that both the government as well as the entire people of Israel will very soon be facing major challenges. To deal with these serious issues, Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on the necessity for a "United and disciplined government." In order to establish that discipline he forbade his coalition ministers to vote in favor of legislation that the government opposes, and if they did so he says that he would fire them.
I feel that there are two reasons why the Prime Minister is making a serious mistake! Firstly, a government that must be held together by threats to its most loyal ministers who choose to vote based on conscience is an assault on the fundamental principles of democratic governance, and is already sowing the seeds of its own demise. Second, the proposed legislation has the support of most members of the coalition, who in turn reflect the will of a majority of Israel's most dedicated, idealistic, and loyal citizens. By opposing legislation that would avoid the need to uproot people who acted in good faith and with government support from their homes, will not only traumatize their lives, but will open the flood gates that would threaten the whole Zionist enterprise.
Instead of national unity and a sense of common purpose and destiny, we will be tearing the people apart and opening the same wounds that led to the tragedies of our recent and ancient past.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." Wise words by Abraham Lincoln.
ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva
[Image Credit: Itzik Edri]
