The only democracy in the Middle East goes to the polls today. What a wonderful example to its neighbours in the region, democracy in action. Perhaps, perhaps not?
Today I went to the polling station to cast my vote. I was pleasantly surprised to see a line of people waiting to fulfill their civic responsibility and vote for the party of their choice, for the people they want to represent them and make the tough decisions on their behalf. As I joined the queue, the conversations where more or less the same. "Have you decided yet"? "Nope I suppose I will decide once I get into the booth". And herein lies the problem. After three weeks of campaigning, thank god for the war otherwise it would have been six weeks; the overriding feeling in the country is that there is noone to vote for, that there is no party which offers a real alternative to the status quo. The options before the country as far as Priminister is concerned; are lets just say, less than inspiring. Bibi was a terrible Priminister, Barak was no better and Tzipi, well for most of us the question is, who the hell is Tzipi. This campaign has been run purely on personality and to hell with the issues. For most people there is little to separate the three main candidates and their parties and therefore, the question is why vote at all.
One alternative however has emerged and for me at least it is a very scary one. Avigdor Lieberman and his Yisrael Beteinu part is the real success of this election. The slogan, roughly translated as "No allegiance, No citizenship" has resonated with the public. This slogan is aimed mainly at the Arab minority in the country, however he has also recently used it to attack the ultra religious, something which also scores high marks with the secular population. For sure the Israeli public has been pushed farther to the right, particularly post disengagement form Gaza, but that is another story. However could it be that neo fascism is entering the mainstream of Israel politics. Does Israel now have its very own Jorge Heider? Are all the critics of Israel right when they call us a racist state?
I would like to think that Lieberman's rise is more of a desperate reaction to the lack of leadership in this country over the past few years, to the Palestinian's failure to create a civil society in Gaza after Israel left the strip in 2005, that at the end of it all the appeal of a strong charismatic character is no more than a fleeting glitch in Israel's political history. Only time will tell and Lieberman is expected to do extremely well in these elections and is most likely to play the role of "king...or queen maker" in the coalition. His rise to prominence should act as a wake up call to all decent people who understand that in order for Israel to function as Jewish democratic state it must be a democracy for all its people, especially its minorities. For one can judge the strength of a democracy by the manner in which it treats its minorities and those in the country who stand against the very nature of the state.
Avigdor Lieberman is doing the country a huge favour. He is providing a very clear view of the future, that is a the future that can emerge if the vast majority of Israelis who do not share his racist and frankly abhorrent views, do not make the conscious decision to reject apathy, insist on a higher quality of representation and work to ensure that it comes about. Thugs like Lieberman can only rise to power in a vacuum. If nothing else this election has shown that the vacuum exists and that it is up to us, the citizens of Israel to fill that vacuum for the better, else Lieberman and his storm troopers get there first. It is not too late!
Go out and vote, even if it means holding your nose while doing so.
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