Page 36 - Jewish News_July-2020

36 July 2020 COMMENTARY

Never bet against Bibi

By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
he Israeli population was pre- election. It was thought that Netanyahu and worldwide, was Benjamin Netan-
paring for a fourth election in would be replaced and would have to yahu’s leadership of Israel was over
Tjust over a year’s time when answer to the charges brought against and he would be removed from office. the land is over. The “wizard” has done
Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and him. “Bibi’s career is over,” thought Then came the virus. Sickness rose. it again. The lesson to be learned from
White Party, said that because of the many Israelis. How wrong they were. Death counts grew in number. Fear all of this is never, never bet against
continued threat of COVID-19 it was The political “wizard,” as Netanyahu increased and the belief rose again, Bibi.
necessary to form a “na- is often called, pulled “Bibi can lead us out of this pandem- Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
tional emergency” govern- the proverbial rabbit out ic.” Today, Prime Minister Netanyahu ing chair of the Robert and Esther
ment that would steer the of the hat thanks to the remains in office. The political entan- Heller Community Relations Commit-
country through the laby- Coronavirus and the very glement that brought three elections to tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
rinth of the Coronavirus clear needs of the nations.
outbreak. Viewing this reality, Letter to the Editor
Mr. Gantz’s plan was Jerusalem Post columnist
to form a government that Lahore Harkov wrote, The Boycott, Divestment and Sanction of condemning her!
included Prime Minister “The virus has put Bibi’s (BDS) movement professes to object The BDS movement charges Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Li- political career on a res- to certain alleged policies of the State with “occupation” of the West Bank.
kud Party. The plan called pirator that could keep it of Israel. While we respect the right of Yet, BDS supporters are silent about
for Mr. Netanyahu to serve Rabbi Howard A. Simon alive for years to come, people to freely express their political countries such as Kurdistan, Crimea,
as prime minister for the first 18 months even when the crisis passes.” This uni- views, we believe that the underlying Algeria and Tibet, where real occupa-
of the coalition, and Mr. Gantz to take ty government means Netanyahu will motivation of the BDS movement is tions by foreign powers exist. More-
over the next 18 months, followed by remain in office for the duration of his the delegitimization and destruction of over, if BDS supporters were sincere
both men serving six-month terms as trial that began at the end of May. Israel, not the modification of specific about helping resolve territorial dis-
prime minister on a rotating basis. Benjamin Netanyahu has always Israeli policies. putes in the West Bank, they would
On May 6, Israel’s Supreme Court won elections when, regardless of the BDS supporters claim that they urge the Palestinians to negotiate a
ruled that Prime Minister Netanyahu economic situation in the land, the target Israel, the sole democracy in settlement of those issues with Israel.
could form a new government while populace voted for the continued secu- the Middle East, because Israel alleg- Unfortunately, most supporters of the
under indictment for corruption charg- rity of Israel. The belief was “Bibi can edly violates human rights. Yet, BDS BDS movement do not really seek a
es, thus clearing the way for the Gantz- lead. Bibi knows what to do. Bibi will blatantly ignores countries where hu- change in specific Israeli policies in
Netanyahu agreement. Netanyahu then keep us safe.” man rights are trampled, women are disputed areas of the West Bank; they
announced to the Israeli public, “I With the advent of COVID-19, Is- denigrated, honor killings are permit- seek the elimination of Israel.
promise the State of Israel a national rael has more than14,000 cases of the ted, gays are attacked, terrorism is en- Many BDS supporters in America
emerging government that will work to virus and more than 200 deaths. In ad- couraged, journalists are imprisoned, have a long history of anti-Israel and
save the lives and the livelihood of the dition, there are now more than 26% and freedom of speech and religion are anti-Semitic activity. Others come
citizens of Israel.” of Israelis unemployed. The public has prohibited. from the political far left or from the
He is now able to make the at- again responded to the maxim, “Bibi In contrast to such inhumane coun- network that supports problematic Is-
tempt to deliver on that promise, as he knows what to do. Bibi can lead us out tries, Israel affords all her citizens civil lamic groups. Still others may support
remains Israel’s longest-serving prime of this dilemma.” He will now have the and human rights and equal protection BDS for what appear to be admirable
minister since David Ben-Gurion. opportunity to deal with the virus and under law, whether they are Arab, Mus- reasons, but lack factual information,
Prior to this agreement, the belief to further his goal of annexing 30% of lim, Christian, Jewish or Druze, men or and fail to understand the primary goal
was that either Gantz could form a gov- Area C in the West Bank that includes women, gay or straight. Arab and Dru- of the movement’s leadership: the de-
ernment and become the prime minis- Samaria and Judea. ze citizens serve in Israel’s parliament, struction of Israel.
ter or there would be a fourth Israeli Months ago, the belief in Israel, military and Supreme Court. Since The BDS movement is unfair, un-
Opinions printed in The Jewish News of Sarasota-Manatee few countries in the Middle East ex- just and fosters anti-Semitism, and we
do not necessarily reflect those of The Jewish Federation tend these essential rights to their citi- adamantly oppose it.
zens, if BDS really cares about human
– Jerry Fleischer, President, Sarasota
of Sarasota-Manatee, its Board of Directors or staff. rights, why not applaud Israel instead County Jewish Democratic Caucus
build. advocate.

remember. support.

Bridges

We build bridges between people by visiting synagogues, churches and civic
groups to make presentations about Israel, anti-Semitism and the Boycott,
Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS). In addition, we send clergy
and community members on missions to Israel to experience and learn
about the land while forging friendships that deepen and continue
back home in Sarasota-Manatee.

^ Builds Bridges
Robert and Esther Heller ^ Advocates through
CRC Government Affairs

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^ Remembers the Holocaust
^ Supports Hillel

Hillel

Hillel is the “Jewish Home Away from Home” for Jewish
students in college. Your CRC and Federation support
Gulf Coast Hillel in its pursuit to create meaningful
and engaging holiday and educational programs

on local college campuses.

HELLER CRC’S MISSION

To build relationships within
the Jewish and non-Jewish

communities and to advance
common interests through QUESTIONS? Contact Jessi Sheslow
941.343.2109 or jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC

Due to COVID-19, please check with each organization for event updates. STRONGER TOGETHER: Coronavirus Relief Fund For more information, see page 40.