Israel’s Next Election Really Is a Battle for the Country’s Soul | Opinion
The choice will be whether we allow our historic social pain to be hijacked or whether we finally dismantle “Bibiland.”
As Israel prepares for its next election, its true significance has taken center stage. No longer confined to discussions of borders, defense, or regional security, this vote is a critical referendum on the very fabric of Israeli society. I, an Ethiopian Israeli woman who relocated to Israel and has witnessed the socio-economic disparities firsthand, believe this is the most significant election in our nation's history.
My upbringing in neglected neighborhoods and extensive work with marginalized communities have given me an intimate understanding of the issues at hand. Over the years, I've observed these gaps widen into chasms, and now, a dangerous narrative has emerged: the concept of "The Second Israel." This term, popularized by pro-Netanyahu pundits, divides the country into two categories - those who support Benjamin Netanyahu and those who don't. I firmly reject this divisive idea, which serves only to fragment our society.
Netanyahu has manipulated this binary definition, transforming socio-economic status, geographical location, and ethnic origin into mere labels. Supporting him grants one the status of a victim, while opposing him brands them as an "oppressor," regardless of their background. This has created a psychological fortress, a "Bibiland," where social grievances are exploited rather than addressed.
The marginalized are trapped in a domestic Stockholm syndrome, viewing Netanyahu as their sole protector, even as he inflicts economic harm upon them.
Netanyahu, born in an affluent Jerusalem neighborhood and educated at elite institutions, represents the privileged "First Israel," a stark contrast to the working-class base he claims to represent. His policies, including slashing social safety nets, privatizing essential services, and championing a hyper-capitalist ethos, have left the periphery in a state of underfunded schools, overburdened hospitals, and a lack of infrastructure. The very people he claims to protect have been left to sink further below the surface.
This upcoming election is the most crucial in Israel's history. We cannot afford another term where the socio-economic neglect of our periphery is seen as an electoral asset. The neglect of our periphery is no longer just a domestic issue; it poses a strategic threat to the nation's stability. Our society cannot hold together if we continue to treat these fractures as mere political tools.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
