the Decline of Israeli Democracy

[donsu]

The Lovable Man?
Lieberman and the Decline of Israeli Democracy

http://www.counterpunch.com/avnery11022006.html


In its original German form - Liebermann - the name means "lovable man". It is hard to imagine a name less appropriate for the new Deputy Prime Minister of Israel.

-snip-

The time is not accidental. In all the 56 years of its existence, Israeli democracy has never been at such a low point as it is today.

In the elections half a year ago, almost 40% of the electorate did not vote at all - double the usual percentage.

Since then, corruption affairs have followed each other. The President of the State is awaiting indictment on several charges of rape and sexual misconduct. The Prime Minister is the subject of a whole series of investigations for corruption, in collusion with an assortment of local and foreign billionaires. Two ministers are already standing trial. Over Ariel Sharon and his family, a dark cloud of corruption affairs was hovering when he suffered his stroke. There is a general feeling that the ruling group in Israel is cynical and corrupt.

-snip-

The war has left the public with a profound sense of distress, on top of the disgust aroused by the political betrayals and the corruption affairs. Our democracy now appears completely rotten, corrupt and incompetent. A Hebrew proverb says that "the breach in the wall calls for the thief". The present situation calls for fascist forces.

Enter Liberman.


-long snip- read on
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near the end of the article is this:

There is a growing disdain for the democratic system. There is a general fatigue after the shocks of the last year. There is a withdrawal into private cares. For the "persons in the street", it is difficult to imagine the dangers. He and she are so used to democracy, that they cannot imagine what it means to live without it. They are sure that "It Can't Happen Here".

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"IT" has already happened in america

[Greeby]

1. And in case anyone was wondering, not THAT Lieberman!

Although if he finds himself out of a job come January......hmmm :think: