Opinion
Who really runs Israel?
Martin Sherman
Published: 21.04.10, 00:08
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50 Talkbacks for this article
1. Real politics
Shaish Dan ,   Karmy Josef   (04.21.10)
Demagogic empty and stupid article Who decided the OSLO act was ill act? If realy the eleit controled Israel how come that so many turrible against humanity acts are taking place in the west bank and Gaza, how come that Israel got it lowest ever status (only 19%) all over the world. All in all this arcticle is very big bull sheet
2. Leftists are running Israel against the wishes of Israelis.
Chaim ,   Israel   (04.21.10)
This article makes many valid points. Although the patriotic right wins most elections, Israel continues to be plagued with the disastrous policies of the left. The left is running Israel against the wishes of Israel and to the extreme cost and detriment of Israel. This situation can't be allowed to continue. The destructive influence of the leftist media, judges and other unelected entities must be sharply curtailed so the democratic wishes of Israelis are respected.
3. Who really runs Israel?
Judah Ben-Israel ,   Katzrin, Israel   (04.21.10)
At the moment? That would be Obama and thank g-d that he is as Bibi is terrible.....
4. Israeli Power Structure
Octavius ,   Italy   (04.21.10)
I think this should be considered carefully. This thesis explains so much real history in the land...
5. KABUKI DANCE! [END PART]
HERCULE SAVINIEN ,   EL CAJON SD CA USA   (04.21.10)
KABUKI DANCE! [END PART] * The Empire War of Economic Stimulus against Islam in only a strategic imperative of the Empire based upon the gaining of the resources of Islamic Crescent/Arabian Peninsula/ Hindu Cush, a war that is unwinnable, and not in the interests of [21st] Century Europe to continue its commitment in, and the time to end that task has come. * The Israel-American Empire’s is becoming a debilitating liability problem to the Worlds Sphere of Nations, one that need not continue, and if the Worlds Sphere of Nations are is too continue to grow, in stability, and attain peace, the [UN] United Nations must be moved to Brussels, and steps taken to contain and respond to any situation that threatens the interests of any [Sphere of Influence] generated by the Israeli-American Empire, this threat has now become a vital security interest of all the Sphere’s of Influence of the [21st] Century, that can no longer be tolerated. HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN
6. Absolutely brilliant
Jack ,   LA   (04.21.10)
This is a first time I have read such a brilliant analysis of what is working toward destroying Israel. The question remains what to do about it? It seems that powers to be will remain in the hands of left wing groups hell bent on destroying this beautiful country. The Great Late Israel.
7. THE US, ENGLAND, FRANCE, RUSSIA .. RULE ISRAEL FROM TURKEY.
ATİLLA KARAGÖZOĞLU   (04.21.10)
yes. the countries rule is from Turkey.
8. Surprised this can be printed in Israeli Media
Shame   (04.21.10)
It is because of the courts, and media in Israel that we are being attacked throughout the world. Creating a false reality of Israel the big devil has worked. Wonder when they will realise as Jews are being attacked more and more around the world it will reach them and they cant run away from it.
9. Yes, I agree the "elites" run the show.
chava ,   yerushalayim   (04.21.10)
I agree that the "elite" here in Israel runs things, even when the elections have brought others to power. But you imply that the elite is turning things to their way of thinking in some sort of genteel fashion. I would suggest that their imposing of their policies is done by much more insidious methods. I suggest that threats, unspeakable threats, are made, and when necessary, are carried out. Conspiracy theory. Absolutely.
10. So painfully true! Amazing analysis!
Vardina   (04.21.10)
The whole nation is being fooled by a bunch of selfish so called "intellectuals" - enemies from within.
11. WHAT TRASH - MONEY RULES
oferdesade ,   israel   (04.21.10)
and i honestly couldnt be bothered explaining this. its too convoluted and its late. i need to go to bed
12. I always find Martin Sherman's articles
Robert Haymond ,   Canada/Israel   (04.21.10)
heuristic which means: evocative, informative and penetrating. This is the first time that I have ever been confronted with the actual political place played by the media, legal fraternity and academic. I would love it if someone could show in logical detail how this triad effects Knesset personnel and how they have managed to usurp the potential strangth of the electorate.
13. Brilliant analysis. Bravo!
Trevor Jones ,   London, England   (04.21.10)
Brilliant, insightful and masterful. It has always been evident that disparaging labels such as 'self hating Jew' fail to go to the root of the problem. These are people who are closet Jews if even that, only in their home as they covertly despise being Jewish, and act in a manner they consider being 'Menschlich' outside of it. Why? Because they crave validation and acceptance from goyim whom they consider the only true Menschen. Thus, if the gentile nations approve of and accept their uniting Jerusalem, the liberal Jew will approve. If they suddenly disapprove the liberal Jew will follow suit, doing whatever the goyishe world tells them is necessary to win their approval and acceptance. The 'liberal' Jew does not necessarily act against Jewish and Israeli self interest per se but only in accord with what the goyim tell him he must do to gain their acceptance. Since the goyishe nations of the world are not exactly lovers of Israel and Judaism, this results in the liberal Israeli Jew betraying the interests of his country and his people for the sake of gentile acceptance and validation. And of course, they are supported by all the goyim who wish to destroy Israel.
14. real patriots
The Last Zionist ,   Eilat   (04.21.10)
It was the "patriotic" right that flew people, who don't live under our flag, from overseas to vote. Oslo was sabotaged by a few who had what to gain from the on going situation. Anyone who followed it at the time could see that clearly.
15. A bit wrong
Yosef ,   Jerusalem   (04.21.10)
The analysis is correct but it's a wrong explanation for those policy turn-arounds. The main reason is that the so called Right us fractured and split. Only the Likud is truely Zionist but it has to contend with parties which are considered Right wing but as soon would sell themselves to the Left. Plus the incurable ilness of brain-death of the politicians on the Right/
16. Call to action...
Roger ,   USA   (04.21.10)
... and that action seems to be a good old fashioned Stalinist purge.
17. 100% correct article - the elite are killing Israel
Avi ,   Geneva   (04.21.10)
This is so obvious seen from outside - the 3 elites, judicial, media and academic, are the lead weight that is making Israel sink and sink and sink into oblivion. Until these fields are purged of all leftist elements that corrupt them, Israel's chances of survival are low. Even the army and secret services are at stake - witness the Anat Kam affair, and how leniently she and her Haaretz handlers are being treated.
18. THIS PHENOMENON STARTED ALREADY SOON AFTER HERZL'S DEAD ! !
FO ,   Belgium   (04.21.10)
Jewish Elites (?) disowned Herzl's programme for the creation of an Independend Jewish State. In 1919, the Gnenral Secretary (and future President) of the Zionist Organization Nahum Sokolow, published a History of Zionism (1600-1918). He explained: it has been said and is being obstinately repeated by anti-Zionists again and again, that Zionism aims at the creation of an independent "Jewish State". But this is wholly fallacious. The "Jewish State" was never part of the Zionist programme. The Jewish State was the title of Herzl's first pamphlet which had the supreme merit of forcing people to think. When the 24th of July 1922 the League of Nations by an unanimous vote by all its 51 members presented the Jewish People, on a golden plate, an embryo of a state in Palestine, it was once again disowned by the Zionist "elites" blinded by Marxism, that refuted national movements. This unpardonable failure was going to cost the Shoah. This hidden part of history enables todays "elites" to maintain their same visions, and putting in danger the very existence of the State of Israel.
19. Electoral Reform
Yoel Ben-Avraham ,   Shilo, Israel   (04.21.10)
It isn't a panacia, but only when the politicians feel accountable to the people who elected them can we expect any degree of meaningful change. Creating some form of dependency between the electorate and the judicial system like America's election of county and state judges might be a significant step as well. Then we can start talking about a "true" democratic Israel and not the illusion of democracy currently in place!
20. Zionist brutality focus on repression of Palestinian nation
Salma ,   Palestine   (04.21.10)
Including the women and children , this is also a very bad Mr. Sherman, isn't it?!!
21. Demography will bring Elites CHANGE soon!
tanya ,   tel aviv israel   (04.21.10)
22. money talks
zionist sociologist ,   herzliya   (04.21.10)
dont forget two more phenomena at work: 1) Of course the left is more powerful, since Israel is a country in which the wealthy people are far more often left wing than the poorer people who tend to vote right wing. As long as the normal (meaning secular) israelis are still in the majority this is unlikely to cange. 2) some of the "right wing" are in fact haredi who tend to have far higher numbers of unemployment (because they study and live of welfare). in any western country the hard-working middle class + the high-income suburban elites (in Israel meaning the seculars) have more power than rural people and welfare recipients...
23. Too little, too late
rivkah f. ,   Jerusalem   (04.21.10)
It took a long time for the Right and actually for Zionists to catch on to what Sherman cogently describes. And the Left --its NGOs, Think tanks, political and intellectual leaders-- pays for its views to be disseminated, whereas the Right generally does not. In Israel, there is nothing comparable to Fox News, the National Review, Front Page, Regnery Publishers. Even the website of Makor Rishon, the nationalist weekly, is thin, compared to Leftist sites. Sad, but true. But do not give up.
24. USA
yo ,   haifa   (04.21.10)
25. Rebuttals
Logic ,   Israel   (04.21.10)
1. Although it's attractive to think that staunch lefties are really in charge, the author needs to offer evidence. Yes, sometimes the High Court rules to the left, but then again, it's the Knesset that passed the invasive Big Brother biometric law this year (which will hopefully be repealed by the Supreme Court). Yes, the media was massively irresponsible during the Olso days, but has largely abandoned the "peace messianism" too. Notice that the huge scandals with the New Israel Fund and Haaretz that were covered in-depth in the media in the last few weeks. 2. Israeli governments do not act in a vacuum. The author neglects the fact that Israel must navigate through complex American and EU interests, since we are dependent on them for diplomatic, trade, and/or military support. The allies' vision, no matter who is in power here or there, is a two state solution. This is a huge reason why elections in Israel don't really matter in regards to international relations.
26. to #20 I was wondering when you r going
ghostq   (04.21.10)
to give us that speach of women and children, than in that case women and children day to you 2. :P
27. Martin the thing is we Isrealies dont
Eric...... ,   Israel....   (04.21.10)
really need too worry about our goverment and who is in power.or who is doing what.We get on with our lives, enjoying life and makeing money.The goverment takes care of its self.Life goes on,this is the best country in the world.When the time comes too worry and it will come.then we will come together as one people.In the mean time be happy
28. brilliant article
MC ,   UK   (04.21.10)
This is a brilliant article. It's high time some one brought these truths to the public domain. The supreme court has too much power which needs to be reigned in as well. The answer is to change the electoral system and people should lobby for this wherever they can, before it's too late.... If we want to keep the land of Israel we have to do this without further delay......
29. Well put!! Israelis still live in the (world) getto
m   (04.21.10)
All the scraping and bowing to peers is nothing more than the same, same old. It's all in the mindset. Like one commenter here wrote, "we want to live and make money", the rest the hell with it.
30. the elite who
martin ,   eu   (04.21.10)
ruled Israel until this gov are finished now because Natanyahu knows who they are and hopefully will stay strong and ignore them.
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