Two days have passed since the leader of a foreign country interfered in an unprecedented manner in Israel's democratic elections. And "interfered" is putting it mildly. The U.S. president not only formally endorsed one candidate but also declared that he is "the kind of partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel" and that any other choice would be "wrong."
In other words, this was neither a personal endorsement nor a strong recommendation, but an unequivocal command, not to mention a threat delivered with a gun to the head. Granted, the directive comes from a leader whose approval ratings in his own country are bungee jumping without a cord and who faces elections that could paralyze his administration. Nevertheless, his words are being treated as an imperial decree to his subjects.
President Isaac Herzog
(Photo: Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)
Although previous U.S. administrations — from both sides of the political aisle, for those keeping track — have made various attempts to interfere in Israeli elections, never has such interference been so open, blatant and, to some extent, even aggressive, as reflected in the threatening, mob-like tone of Trump's statement. And no, overt interference should not be regarded as preferable to covert activity simply because it is out in the open. It carries an unmistakable element of humiliation, contempt and disrespect.
Yet instead of expressing discomfort at his sugar daddy's embrace, the prime minister is enthusiastically releasing statements and videos. When crowds chant "King of Israel," Netanyahu typically responds, "I'm not a king. I have to be elected." Well, if this is how he gets elected, then he is not a prime minister either, but a governor of a client state.
But it is doubtful that anyone is surprised by the ecstasy with which Netanyahu and his followers seized this opportunity, as though they had forgotten the hysterical campaigns they waged whenever an American- or European-funded nonprofit organization was suspected of political activity in Israel. That is not to mention their attempts to delegitimize Israelis living abroad who return to vote.
Where are those proud right-wingers who, after decades of organized airlifts bringing ultra-Orthodox voters to Israel, suddenly remembered to protest that it was inappropriate for citizens who do not live in the country to exercise their legal right to influence its future? But when the freaking president of the United States tells the Israeli public that any choice other than Netanyahu would be a "mistake"? Suddenly, it is a celebration of democracy.
In a self-respecting sovereign country, President Herzog should have issued a short, simple statement within two hours of Trump's endorsement: Only Israeli citizens will determine the outcome. No foreign country, whether friend or foe, has the right to interfere in Israel's domestic affairs.
While the hypocrisy of Netanyahu and his supporters is hardly surprising, the silence of President Isaac Herzog, who is supposed to embody Israel's national unity and dignity, cannot be ignored.
In a self-respecting sovereign country, within two hours of Trump's endorsement, President Isaac Herzog should have issued a short, simple statement: Only Israeli citizens will determine the outcome. No other country, whether friend or foe, has the right to interfere in Israel's domestic affairs, whether in the courts or, certainly, at the ballot box.
Voters should, of course, weigh all relevant factors when making their choice, including its implications for international relations. But every leader, particularly the leader of a strategic ally, is expected to respect the public's sacred right to choose. That is what Israel's Declaration of Independence stands for.
But Israel, as we know, has President Isaac "Bougie" Herzog, who has already faced personal humiliation at Trump's hands over another issue in which the U.S. president had no business interfering. Even then, Herzog barely managed to defend Israel's dignity, let alone his own.
This time, he cannot even manage that much. It seems his fear of Trump and Netanyahu has once again prompted him to hand over the sandwich the Israeli public entrusted to him to the schoolyard bullies.
No matter. Herzog is not the type to go hungry.