We, the people, are not stupid!

A quarter-front page ad, appearing in the Sept. 7 issue of The Jerusalem Post, showed Gantz, Barak and Lapid (albeit with two of the names appearing under the wrong photos) and then the phrase, “Stop Burning Down the Country!” It further stated: “Take responsibility, enough violence, enough incitement, enough harming the IDF! Supreme Court is not equal to authority on Basic Laws and We, the People, Decide!"

In a tiny bottom area was the name, “Fighters for the IDF, with a 'Donate Now' QR Code to support the reform. Wanting to know who comprises the group, “Fighters for the IDF,” a Google search provided no results whatsoever. The conclusion? Someone is hiding behind a name that, itself, bears no responsibility for their efforts. However, if they are truly sincere in their slogan, “We, the people, decide,” then they may be in for a rude awakening because the massive numbers each weekend on Israel’s streets and highways testify to the fact that the people have truly decided what they want and don’t want.

Nonetheless, someone thinks that scapegoating these three men, accusing them of burning down the country and inciting citizens to rebel against the reforms, by taking to the streets, is the best way to collect money for their cause while casting blame for the unrest. This same group of people wants readers to believe that millions of Israeli citizens are controlled by three individuals who have some kind of Svengali hypnotic influence over an entire population that is incapable of thinking for themselves.

This Svengali effect, according to Wikipedia, is defined as “a person who, with evil intent, dominates, manipulates and controls another. Those under the influence are pawns in a scheme of a greater and more influential criminal mastermind.” Is that what they want us to believe is going on here? Let’s go back to how it all started to see if that’s true.

The present government coalition came into power at the end of December 2022. Composed of all right-wing and extremist ultra-Orthodox parties, their immediate goal was to push through as many new laws as possible, that would mandate how people think and conduct themselves, as well as what is observed and permitted. All of this proposed legislation was condensed into an obscure and ambiguous term called, “Reforms.” 

Some of those proposed reforms included removing the High Court’s ability to determine what constitutes reasonable or unreasonable legislation, thereby limiting the government’s power to impose unacceptable standards and decisions. Handing over more power to the coalition for the appointment of judges was also part of these reforms. Another proposal was to do away with the Incapacitation Law, which gives the authority to declare a prime minister unable or unfit to continue serving in his capacity.  

Along with other reform propositions, the new coalition sought to continue accommodating yeshiva students, enabling them to continue receiving monthly governmental stipends, while they study indefinitely, granting them military deferments, as well as allowing them to bypass participation into becoming productive contributors of society by holding a job.  

We also mustn’t forget that the coalition was prepared to advance specific studies into the educational curriculum, fostered by Noam party leader Avi Maoz, who is considered extreme and does not recognize non-Orthodox streams of Judaism.  

The enforcement of a stronger Jewish identity for Israel has also been part of the coalition’s agenda and, while that may sound reasonable given that we are the world’s only Jewish homeland, deep concerns have been expressed as to how a more defined identity could negatively impact and marginalize minority groups who would most definitely be disenfranchised.  

This is only a fraction of the type of revisions that ultra-Orthodox, extreme right-wing parties have aspired to dramatically change and disturb the balance of diverse political views, faiths and cultures which, together, make up the country’s multi-faceted Jewish and minority composition which is far from monochrome. 

Those who don’t fit into that mold being foisted on us would either be compelled to adapt or forced to leave. No longer would citizens be free to make their own life choices. Those decisions would be imposed by a one-dimensional coalition that has unlimited and unchecked power to decide for the rest of the country.  

Understanding that this would be the end of democracy as we know it, citizens of all stripes took to the streets. This included those from all political persuasions, economic, cultural and religious backgrounds, despite the media’s attempt to label everyone as left-wingers. 

Our people protested because they got a good whiff of how their country would look with a private militia, controlled by an extreme national security minister who would stop at nothing to make sure everyone fell in line with his viewpoint. They also saw how women would be negatively impacted, as some ministers relegated them to homebodies rather than combat soldiers or high-powered executives if that was their prerogative.

They understood that no one should shove young girls into the back of a bus if they’re wearing shorts and tank tops, covering them up with blankets, as if they are living under an Iranian regime. It was due to so many sudden cultural, religious and ideological changes that people reacted with anger and pushback.

So, who has really been burning down the country and who has been responsible for causing incitement?The reaction to being forced to accept codes of behavior or lack of governmental accountability, while trying to usurp all judicial authority cannot be defined as incitement because incitement is executed first. Reaction is simply the aftermath.

And while we’re asking questions: “Who is really harming the Israel Defense Forces?” Can we all agree that thousands of able-bodied yeshiva students, who refuse to serve in the army and defend the same citizens who finance their unproductive way of life, are a real harm to our military forces and the survival of our country? 

As far as “taking responsibility” goes, why doesn’t the coalition, at least, honestly admit that their haste in trying to enforce radical laws in one fell swoop is more than anyone can digest? It is on them when it comes to reaping the whirlwind of the country’s ire after their feeling pushed aside and not included in the “reform process” on any meaningful level. Take responsibility for not offering discussions or checking with your constituency – the people, to first see how we feel about these things.

But then it’s probably easier to blame us for exactly what you have done; burning down the country, inciting and causing harm to the IDF. In psychological terms, that’s called projection, meaning placing actions or emotions onto someone else rather than admitting to or dealing with the fact that you are guilty of those very things yourself.

While it’s effective, it’s also quite easy to recognize because, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, 'We, the People, are not stupid!'