A call for Israeli politics to return to core, humanistic values

• Published date: 17 January 2021
• Date: 17 January 2021
• Author: DAVID KLAHR
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Growing up, an election was a special event, one to be cherished and respected. It brought palpable excitement. It occurred once every four of five years; twice a decade, like the Olympics or the World Cup. It had meaning, importance, hope. If you supported the ruling party, it forced them to reenergize their agenda after several years in power. If you supported the opposition party, it gave you a sense of hope and opportunity.

I now have a 20-year-old son who by March 2021 will have voted four times. He's an intelligent and informed young man. Two years ago, preparing for his first visit to the polling station, he researched the party platforms and made an informed decision. Politics interested him. Yet now it is just a joke to him, and that is a travesty.

How has it come to this?

Over the last two years, what were once considered core, humanistic values have been totally eradicated and ground to dust. I am not referring to democracy or human rights, but to values such as truth, honesty, trust and promise. I was recently asked how we should approach the topic of the elections with our students. Yet what is the point of discussing politics when our fundamental value system no longer exists?

It would be much easier to voice these concerns if I could criticize a particular section of the political system in Israel. Yet these alarm bells are ringing with regard to all politicians and all parties, the entire political spectrum: Jew and Arab, secular and religious, Left and Right – every single one is guilty as sin.

For the last two years, politicians have lied, cheated and covered up. They have based decisions on their own political and personal gain. They have claimed...