Israel, No Longer a Democracy?

Are Americans entitled to question the behavior of Israel's Prime Minster?  Yes, we are!  We are a democracy that stands against arrogant autocratic behavior. Especially because over half of the Israeli population is also unhappy with their current political leadership. Without a vision, the people perish.  We need all dimensions of the future political plans for Israel to include TRUTH, PEACE, AND HARMONY for the entire region.

Benjamin Netanyahu has been Prime Minister of Israel for 16 years and has over 2 years remaining in this election cycle.  How is he doing politically?  He has been accused of breach of trust, bribery, and fraud.  Currently he is trying to "reform" the Israeli Judiciary.  Are political questions of autocratic behavior emerging from his political style?  You betcha.

October 7, 2023 was the horrible date when Hamas thugs invaded Israel, killing 1,200 via rape, dismemberment, torture and hostage taking.  Some questions remain over the slowness of the Israeli Defense Force in their response to the invasion.  More than 8 hours passed before any help was received in the communities invaded.  In addition, it appears there was adequate knowledge that an attack may be imminent.  Who, why, where and how?  These answers are still pending by the Israeli government.  In addition, it appears that some government officials turned a blind eye to the knowledge of funding given to Hamas by known enemies of Israel. 

I am an 87-year-old American citizen who takes a serious interest in our history.  I have not missed a single vote in over 60 years of following politics.  I am a taxpayer that has always supported Israel with American dollars for defense without complaint.  However, I now see a Prime Minister who consults very little with his U.S. benefactors, and who is behaving more and more like  an autocrat.  An autocrat with no actual vision for Israel’s future. 

After the October 7th attack, Israel responded with an "eye for an eye" vision, one that was severe and overwhelming.  That attack so far has killed over 33,000 Palestine citizens (mostly innocent women and children) and according to the United Nations has caused over $18 billion dollars in property destruction throughout Palestine.  Sadly, almost 200 foreign aid (food and medicine) volunteers have been killed by the Israeli military.  Meanwhile, when the United States seeks some answers and some explanation about where this brutal wipeout of Palestinian lives and property is headed, American interests are offered very little information.  It is as if there is no partnership, despite the U.S. being a huge ally.  As a taxpayer, I expect the support given to Israel for 76 long years be acknowledged.  President Harry Truman, May 14, 1946, was the first leader in the world to offer de facto recognition to Israel.  Since then, we have been a loyal and reliable partner to Israel.

Now Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems divisive and autocratic toward President Joe Biden and other American operatives in the region.  Are Americans entitled to question the behavior of the Prime Minster?  Yes, we are.  We are a democracy that stands against arrogant autocratic behavior. Especially because over half of the Israeli population is also unhappy with their political leadership. 

Without a vision, the people perish.  We need all the dimensions of the future political plans for Israel to include TRUTH, PEACE, AND HARMONY for the entire region.

Let it happen for the children and the grandchildren who need protection from this awful warfare.

Civility and peace are not words of weakness and neither word should be avoided or this chaos and mayhem will continue. 

Opening Image Photo Credits: Cliff Owen/AP