Israeli-Palestinian Direct Talks Will Lead Directly to Failure
Terry and Adina, I think we need to hold out hope. Even in the midst of evidence that the elites are corrupt and selfish, they are not completely without feeling for the average Israeli. Nor are they completely monolithic. I think the presence of Yaalon, Begin Jr and others in the gov’t is not merely a token of the right wing, or a sop thrown the right wing by Bibi. They are also a lever that Bibi can use against the elites – if he chooses.
The issue comes down to Bibi, his choices and characters. He can be a manipulated ‘toy’ (Clinton’s term for Barak), or he can stand and lead despite the presence(s) of Barak, Peres etc. At the moment, his Premiership can be seen as proof of the neutering effects of those elites. It is also true that he had to play the game to reach his current position, but he is free – if he is ‘spiritually’ and spiritually strong enough – to make another choice. Both of you have decided what his choice is. I am still holding out some hope.
