Tea-parties, Israeli-style 

Normally law-abiding citizens resisting Netanyahu’s misguided policy

by Moshe Dann 
December 6, 2009
Ynet Opinion
http://bit.ly/Jewish-building-freeze

In response to PM Netanyahu’s declaration prohibiting Jews from 
building in Judea and Samaria, a grass-roots resistance movement 
is beginning to emerge. 

Generally averse to confrontations and violence, Israeli Jews would 
prefer boring demonstrations and prayers. Numbed by the illusion 
that elections mean democracy, they tend to obey constituted 
authorities.

Moreover, the "freeze" on Jewish building and its strict 
implementation exposes the hypocrisy of Israel's legal and 
judicial system. If the police and army can be mobilized to 
enforce the prohibition against Jews, why can't they be used 
to stop vastly more illegal Arab buildings? 

The continuing trauma of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, however, 
was over the expulsion of only 10,000 Jews. Now, PM Netanyahu's 
seemingly futile gesture to appease President Obama threatens 
300,000 residents of Judea and Samaria, thousands of families 
waiting to build homes in this area and has implications for 
250,000 residents of new neighborhoods in Jerusalem, like Gilo, 
Givat Zeev, Har Homa, and Pisgat Zeev. 

Drawing the line around Jerusalem and a few large settlements, 
moreover, blurs the historical and strategic importance of the 
rest of the Land of Israel to the Jewish people. 

Connected to relatives and friends throughout Israel, the "settler" 
network is extensive; that means virtually the entire country is 
affected, in one way or another. The result has been a spontaneous 
rebellion, led by heads of local communities who, under normal 
circumstances, would duly follow orders. Instead, they are 
organizing resistance to PM Netanyahu's edicts.

I refer to these restrictive orders as those of Netanyahu, rather 
than “the government,” since they were approved only by an inner 
"security cabinet," rather than the entire cabinet. It seems clear 
that the fear was that these orders would not be approved by 
the full cabinet, let alone by Knesset.

This brings striking clarity to the nature of what many call, 
generously, "Israeli democracy." That a few people can implement 
decisions contrary to their electoral promises and, in Netanyahu's 
case, against the mandate of the political party which he leads is 
hardly new. Such actions, while they may be legal, strike at the 
heart of what a democratic system is all about and the issue of 
accountability. 
 
What’s the point? 

One might be willing to cut the PM some slack, give him the 
benefit of the doubt, if what he proposes would accomplish 
something - anything! But he himself dismissed such thoughts, 
pleading that a building freeze is only temporary, and an attempt 
to "jump-start negotiations." The US is biding its time, planning to 
demand an extension; the PA has rejected this ploy outright.

So what's the point? As a meaningless gesture, it serves no one 
and antagonizes everyone. Like trying to sell fools gold on the 
commodity exchange, it's an embarrassment that creates doubt 
about any kind of reliability. 

Having initiated a disastrously unpopular policy, there is little 
Netanyahu can do to assuage those who oppose him; nor can he 
back down citing public pressure. He might turn to the opposition, 
Kadima, for support, but that would further alienate him from 
his own constituency. And he can crack down on those who 
resist - as he is doing.

All of this may become even more complicated and volatile 
if Netanyahu decides to release 1,000 Arab "Palestinian" killers 
("activists," "militants") who are likely to fuel a new wave of terrorism.
Nearly 25 years ago, under PM Shimon Peres and DM Yitzhak 
Rabin, a similar prisoner exchange strengthened terrorists and 
led to violence against Israel. There is nothing to assume this 
won't happen again

Resistance to Netanyahu's policies by normally law-abiding folks 
in Jewish communities throughout Judea and Samaria may 
signal the emergence of new political bloc within Likud, 
as frustration becomes more widespread. The prospect of 
new elections is not thrilling, but there is an emerging alternative 
to the political leadership that now exists. 

If Netanyahu hunkers down and tries to ride out the resistance, 
he will have to enforce his policies, or rescind them. Either way, 
he has lost the trust of many of his most loyal supporters and 
displayed an appalling lack of political awareness. 

If politics is the art, or business of making the best of poor 
choices, Netanyahu may have made a serious mistake in 
thinking that he could satisfy President Obama at the expense 
of the people who elected him. 

This is not only a test of his political wisdom, but of his moral 
leadership as well. Caught between competing demands, 
his choices gauge his strength of character. At very least 
he must make a reasonable case for what he does. 
Don't count on it.
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The author is a writer and journalist living in Jerusalem