The Folly and Failure of the National Camp

The minute Bibi was selected to form the government, the rhetoric and attacks against him began. Actually, that's not true. The rhetoric and attacks escalated, not began, because the attacks started years ago. At each step, the pressure and the hatred against him increases.

Why? How could someone be so vehemently disliked and yet, I believe, secretly admired. Because basically Bibi stands on principle but is a pragmatic Zionist who can actually accomplish some goals forbidden by the left, such as protecting Israel and not capitulating to the enormous pressure to give over our Land to the international hordes.

These international hordes have chosen a small group of Arabs to represent their thirst for this tiny piece of Land, and have sucessfully altered world opinion in their favor. This group of Arabs, now called Palestinians, are also victims of the lust of the nations for Israel's Land, though they have willingingly and enthusiastically accepted their role.

The media, who controls what we read, has always hated Bibi and will not let up on haranging him - G-d forbid, he might be successful in creating a stable and strong nation without giving most of it away.

It has to be next to impossible to stand against this international pressure when the cards are so stacked against you. None of our previous leaders have been able to withstand it, all of them capitulating to the enormous demands of the nations.

That's where lovers of Eretz Yisrael should have come to the rescue for Bibi Netanyahu. They, the believers in this Land not to be divided, not to be given away, should have stood behind and alongside Bibi Netanyahu from the beginning. Instead, much to their shame, the national camp long ago joined the fray against him.

The only difference is that while the world and the media attacks him from the left, the national camp attacks him from the right. Bibi is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

The national camps have always been given opportunities to fortify nationalist leaders who have been positioned in strategic places, but continually the national camps have squandered their opportunities. They have often been the catalyst - not to bolster good but imperfect governments, but to bring them down for the sin of imperfection. As I have written in other posts, there are times to be idealistic and not waiver, but there are also times where one must prioritize and be thankful for opportunities given, for gains made, and put temporary losses aside.

It seems reasonable that we should bury past mistakes on all sides, and make a fresh start. So this time around, when the country was truly fed up with the antics of the left, waking up to the fiascos of Oslo and Camp David, and very importantly beginning to admit out loud the terrible mistake of the expulsion of Gush Katif from Gaza, the national camp had a gift given to them on a silver platter.

Unfortunately, they dumped it in the garbage. Instead of lending Bibi credible professional support, undergirding his vision and campaigning for him on his merits, they chose to enact dramatic antics of their own, executing childish provocations like wading into Arab communities waving flags and confronting the Israeli arabs on national television. Their political "support" of Bibi was made clear that it was really for the purpose of having him meet their demands on national causes.

Embarrassing. What were they thinking?

Some parties, like Jewish Home, did realize the importance of statesmen-like behavior and now, in fact, is a part of the government. I have said it before, but I will say it again: I think that Bibi's decision not to pursue Ichud Leumi was a wise one - I believe they would be a distraction and perhaps destablizing entity within the government.

Now, as Netanyahu prepares to present his government, the criticism has been ratcheted up once again, from left to right. He can't seem to please anyone...either he is too Zionistic, or not enough; even though he has included Labor, he's too far to the right. He has too many nationalists in the government, or not enough; he has given the cabinet positions to the wrong people on the left, or the wrong people on the right. Even though there was a need for a broad based government, now suddenly it's too big, too costly....on and on and on.

The hope for Bibi's success is not with the national camp. It is with the possibility that some on the left will continue their realization of the folly of international appeasement and will hearken back to the understanding that Israel's stability and strength lies in our ability to decide for ourselves what is best for us, and that they themselves will rally around this leader, supporting him.

It is at times difficult to wade through the media reports, for most all of it is speculation or purposeful drama and/or agenda driven. Nonetheless, it is clear that there are far too many individuals and parties in the national camp who are their own worst enemies. If that were as far as the damage goes, it would be unfortunate, but limited to the near-sightedness of the participants.

Sadly however, it is the nation that is at stake, and the damage is profound and extensive. It is time for the national camp to do some real soul searching. I pray that they, as well as many on the left, will begin to wake up, and I pray that Bibi, in spite of an enormous list of antagonists, will achieve unmitigated success with his government and in carrying out his vision.

Yasher Koach, Bibi, may you have strength.