Let them say what they will

The social protest sweeping the country is, to a large extent, an escalation in the battle between good and evil, in the public's war against the relationship between big business and government; not just in its criminal aspects, but also in the distribution of bribes and favors to the tycoon class.

From this standpoint, it's understandable that the protest has garnered such support from a public that has witnessed deformity within Israeli society, a deformity that overwhelmingly favors the gods of capital. Furthermore, the protest resonated with a deep sense of injustice among the middle class, who carry on their shoulders the ultra-Orthodox and Arab sectors, those who are not seen in army uniforms, do not volunteer for the greater good and do not pay the same taxes.

Thus far the protest has been a blessing. But who are the protest leaders, and where is this leadership leading its flock? Why do they refuse, in Tel Aviv, to end the rally with the national anthem, "Hatikva," as they did in Jerusalem? And why is this leadership not willing to take responsibility for the protest-

If the protest leaders' aim is to bring down the government, they should get up, state their aim clearly and fight for their principles. But if their aim is to help the middle class, then there really is no logic in their refusal to meet with representatives of the government, or to demand, with some cheekiness, that the cameras remain on during any meeting. A protocol of the meeting is taken in any case, and that should be enough.

The housing protest leaders are making unreasonable demands. The government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, made several mistakes by raising taxes and favoring big business, but also took some positive steps, such as the reforms preceding the housing protest, establishing the committee to investigate market concentration and proposing a law creating committees to circumvent the bureaucracy in the housing market. While it's true that this on its own is not enough to solve the housing crunch, it's no less true that it is an important first step in the right direction.

Why are the protest leaders so opposed to dealing with the government? There are two possibilities. First, they don't actually want to come to any agreement with this government -- they want it to fall. They don't want to negotiate with Netanyahu just like Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas doesn't want to negotiate. This is their right, but if it is true they should openly declare their principles.

The other option is that the leadership is a patchwork coalition -- and that if one faction agrees to, say, the housing committees law, the "Greens" in the coalition will oppose. So they might be primarily concerned with keeping the leadership whole -- and thus reject any offer or compromise. This looks more like the behavior of professional politicians rather than young idealists.

The hordes who follow this leadership should keep in mind the lyrics to Naomi Shemer's song: "When you start walking, things get going." Things need to get going. We need to ask who is treading in the same place, and why. None of this contradicts the strategic imperative to include the ultra-Orthodox and the Arabs into the circle of public service and taxpayers. And, if until now, the settlements were given preferential treatment, then what goes for Beit El [in the West Bank] is what goes for Sderot [in southern Israel], no more, no less.

An elder of our economy, Eli Hurvitz [Israeli industrialist, Chairman of the Board and former CEO of Teva Pharmaceuticals] on Sunday praised the protest, but warned against turning Israel into Greece. "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts," goes the saying, following the story of the Trojan horse. Beware of their lifestyles too. Finance Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz has warned in recent conversations that with all due understanding for the housing protest, Israel has been "blessed" with protestors who can't stretch their paychecks through the end of the month, whereas the protest's leadership is hearkening for prices reminiscent of countries where the middle classes don't even have the means to start the month.

טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו