Geoff Sifrin
TAKING ISSUE
“That’s what the majority of Israelis want – an independent Jewish state of Israel and an independent Palestine living side by side in peace.”
The extremely narrow coalition government – it has only 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset – which Benjamin Netanyahu cobbled together just minutes before the legal deadline for presenting to President Reuven Rivlin, is going to make this stance increasingly non-believable in South African politics and civil society for people who either are neutral about Israel or already hostile.
Two key parties in this government are Netanyahu and his Likud party, and Naftali Bennett, leader of Habayit Hayehudi (the Jewish Home) party.
Netanyahu has said publicly that there will not be a Palestinian state on his watch, and Bennett advocates Jewish settlement of the entire West Bank, with no policy for what to do about the Palestinians.
He told The Guardian of London in 2013: “There is not going to be a Palestinian state within the tiny land of Israel [between the Jordan River and the sea]. It’s just not going to happen. A Palestinian state would be a disaster for the next 200 years.” Other coalition partners include haredi parties.
The Palestinians are to blame as much as anyone. They could have had their state years ago – they were offered it by more moderate Israel governments, but turned it down.
The truth is: In today’s circumstances, the two-state solution is virtually dead. Reviving it would require a drastic change of heart among Israelis and Palestinians alike. Also, a turnaround in the growth of radical Islam in the Middle East, without which a Palestinian state would likely become yet another violent Jihadist entity right in Israel’s heart.
Both scenarios are unlikely for now, and Israel will perforce remain the controlling power in the West Bank. And under this new government, settlement building will certainly continue.
The SAJBD and SAZF’s support for the two-state solution is key to their credibility in approaching the South African government and political and civil society, despite the prevalent anti-Israel attitudes.
What are these organisations to say when the Israeli government itself is not adhering to that line?
Perhaps more than any previous Israeli government, this one presents no vision towards a better situation. It was put together on the basis of narrow politics – Netanyahu’s determination to remain prime minister, the haredi parties’ desire to get more money for their yeshivot and to push back requirements for haredi men to serve in the IDF, resisting demands for civil marriage to be made possible in Israel, and so on. Palestinian issues and ending the conflict slipped almost completely off the table.
South African Jewry lives in the South African political reality, however. In its meetings with non-Jewish South Africans in business, academia, the professions and other areas, there is often an “elephant in the room”: What kind of country is Israel and what about the Palestinians?
If not the two-state solution, then what? A one-state solution, or bi-national state? The thought of these two peoples – Israelis and Palestinians – with so much bitter history between them, trying to live and co-operate together in a single national entity is almost unthinkable.
South African Jewish leaders can withhold unqualified support for Israel on certain tactical details, like the public criticism they voiced of Israel recently for its refusing to give South African Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande a visa to travel through Israel on his way to Ramallah. That was a bump in the road which can be smoothed out.
But what can they do when it comes to the big strategic issues – such as how to end the conflict?
They will have a hard time publicly contradicting Israel on issues that go to the very core of the future vision, such as whether the two-state solution is still viable.
Geoff Sifrin is former editor of the SAJR. He writes this column in his personal capacity.
Denis Solomons
May 14, 2015 at 6:05 am
‘Well an elephant is always found in a circus !
Maybe the Israeli government is a circus with Netenyahu the ringleader or task master.
Bring on the clowns .’
Choni
May 14, 2015 at 7:08 am
‘To suggest that if Israel adheres to right wing policies, which in truth are authentic Torah values, will have a negative effect on S.African Jewry is preposterous demeaning and insulting.
If Mr Sifrin and other Jewish leaders and organizations are afraid for their futures because of the actions of Israel, they should rather educate their communities of the fact that Israel is in the advanced stages of the final Redemption, and the (Jewish) Diaspora in its final stages of extinction.’
Maurice Abelheim, Victory Park
May 14, 2015 at 9:21 am
‘
Ahh this takes me back. Geoff Sifrin rolling back the years with that trademark blend of analytical analysis and wit-infused wit with a sprinkling of vitriolic verbal vehemence – an inimical style that bleats and neighs and cuckaws even as it barks and mews.
To me (and to many others I suspect) Sifrin will always be SA’s very own Hunter S Thompson. The man under whose glittering tenure a middling community paper was established among the international elite – arguably even on a par with The New York Times and the Economist.
To say we’ve missed you would be such a
ridiculous understatement it’s almost an overstatement. Borrowing a phrase from one of my favourite local journos – I’m cock a hoop that you’re back my dear man
‘
nat cheiman
May 14, 2015 at 12:43 pm
‘What about the Palestinians? Indeed!!! What about them?
\nIsrael must secure its borders first, then the Palestinians can decide for themselves what they want.
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\n[Inappropriate content removed -MODERATOR]
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\nWhy must Israel be burdened? The next war with Hamas will mean that Israel will take over the Gaza strip (again) and the rest of the Gazans that are still alive will go to the West Bank and be a menace to Abbas.’
Michelle Arenson
May 14, 2015 at 1:27 pm
‘Geoff Sifrin, is that you?
I do remember you as being particularly insightful and knowledgeable about Middle Eastern affairs. But when I stumbled upon this article online, I was still quite shocked!
Geoff, you write beautifully. I fondly recall our days together working the field of Kibbutz Dagania many years back (I won’t say how many) when you used to long to make Israel your home. At the time, you were disillusioned with the torrid state of affairs in South Africa and the evil Nat government, but you said that should the tide change (which it eventually did), you would be the first person to go back and play your part in ensuring the democratisation of the media takes place fairly.
Though I still call Ramat Gan my home, I feel nostalgic when reading your pieces and do hope to see you back in the North, with a button down shirt and some shades (it is reaching the high-30s right now) as I picture you some 40 years ago – walking the streets of Haifa with that trademark fedora and a box of Peter Stuyvesants in your right hand.
Bravo Geoff – keep on illuminating the world with your electrifying words.
Fondest,
Michelle
‘
Michael Rootshtain
May 15, 2015 at 11:35 am
‘Fascinating. When will those who believe in a two state solution wake up. The Palestinians certainly don’t. They believe in a one state solution where the entire Land of Israel will become a Palestinian state. Most Moslems throughout the world don’t believe in a two state solution. They believe that the entire Land of Israel must become a Moslem state. Why should the Israelis buck the trend?
Bennett, in a public debate with Martin ***** (sorry, I will never get his name right) did give a vision of how he saw a one state solution. When Netanyahu states that this will not happen during his term of office, he is being a realist, even if it is not politically correct to say so.
Of course the religious want more money for their Yeshivas, for their families etc. Why should they be different from the rest of Israeli citizens who want more for their groups. Please don’t make the old argument that they don’t serve in the army etc. Many do and many contribute in other ways. If the religious need to share the load in the army (which as I stated, many do) than the non religious (I hate that term) need to share the burden of Torah Study. We certainly need both in Israel.
I hope that the current government in Israel boldly fights against the hypocrisy of Europe, the Arab States and those throughout the world, who deep down know the truth, but dare not speak it.’
Choni
May 15, 2015 at 1:40 pm
‘Michael, His name is Martin Sherman, an ex S.African.
I recommend all readers to read his weekly column in the Jerusalem Post.
Regards
Choni’