Page 31 - HaMizrachi #28 Pesach USA 2021

ISRAEL INSIGHT THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND

Dr. Sharon Goldman

Reflections on Elections

Sharing a Plate of Hummus

n the corner of a plaza off the main as charming; a country where political With a fourth election around the corner,
road in Raanana sits a hummus disagreements are taken seriously, but some of these leaders have actually been
Irestaurant. This particular hummus those yelling at each other can still share sent home – not by the Principal, but
place, half of a rivalry that has continued a meal. A country where challenges by the voters. Any party which failed to
for decades with the “other” hummus around difference in race or background meet the minimum threshold of 3.25%
store directly across the street, is run are acknowledged but not reified. It is a of votes will not be returning. In what
by a man who moved with his family place where one can have heated debates can be characterized as both the most
from Ethiopia when he was a child. that escalate to actual yelling, but always and the least democratic of parliamen-
He speaks perfect Hebrew, with some end with a smile, a slap on the back and tary systems – given the tremendous
Amharic phrases thrown in for color a lehitraot (see you again soon). power handed to the small parties whose
when necessary. seats are wooed by the winning party in
This is not to say we don’t have real
The restaurant has been operating problems in Israel, all of which have order to reach the magical number of 61
throughout the entire Corona shutdown, been exacerbated by Corona. Setting – every voter has the ability to influence
with “takeout” that can be eaten on the the tone, and perhaps unintentionally the outcome.
benches directly outside the restaurant. but nonetheless definitely condoning the There are many pressing issues in Israel:
But as the owner explains, “I would security concerns, the pressure on our
prefer to pay a fine than not to see my vitriol, are many of our political leaders hospital system, the critical state of our
friends and family.” All his customers are whose fractious disagreements con-
family: from the Moroccan “only Bibi” tinue to turn personal. Both sides have economy in the face of Corona, the
voter to the Ashkenazi Meretz supporter accused the other of being responsible mental health of citizenry – and none of
(“He is totally confused politically. But for the deaths of thousands; language them should be minimized. But I think it
if everyone agreed, we couldn’t have the that would have been bleeped from is critical that Israelis also demand civil-
fun of arguing,” says the owner) to my TV a decade ago is used to describe ity from their elected representatives.
daughter’s half African-American fiancé opponents, and parties have split into Perhaps I should invite our politicians
(“My brother!” exclaims the owner as factions. This escalation of political to come join me at my local hummus
he hands him a free soda). People from rancor has serious consequences. It not restaurant and learn from the real
across my neighborhood, even those only too often causes political paraly- people of Israel how to behave in the
who don’t particularly enjoy hummus, sis at a time when action is desperately face of disagreements: understand we
have continued to visit the restaurant, needed, but it is also reflected in civil are all brothers and sisters who may hold
simply to engage one another in heated society in ways that are both insidious radically different perspectives, but all
conversations around current events – and destructive. truly want the best for one another. Let’s
mostly Corona, the economy and the make those who can’t seem to get along
government’s responses. One newscaster said, somewhat nostal-
gically, “When I was a child and got into share a plate of hummus and pita. It can
If you want a symbol of what makes a fight in school, the Principal would only help.
Israel a special place, even – or maybe send both me and the other child home
especially – during this very difficult to think about how to improve our
year of Corona and as we pass our fourth behavior. President Rivlin should just
(!) election in two years, this restaurant send them all home.” One wonders if,
and its owner are it. at a minimum, they would not all do well Dr. Sharon Goldman is a frequent speaker

They represent a country of immigrants, with a short break – each in their own and writer on such topics as Zionism, the
where my in-spite-of-my-best-efforts- time-out corners – to think about the American-Jewish diaspora, and the U.S.-Is-
still-strongly-accented Hebrew is seen appropriate behavior for elected leaders. rael relationship.

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