fbpx

Upon Netanyahu’s reelection, it’s time for President Obama to put personal resentment aside

[additional-authors]
March 19, 2015

Mr. President,

My name is Noga, and I am a young Israeli who did not vote for Netanyahu. It took me a couple of days to accept the fact that he’s my Prime Minister (yet again,) but now that the realization finally “sank,” I show a great deal of respect for him, as Israel’s elected leader.

Now, after nearly 50% of the Israeli population finally calmed down, two days after the results, it’s time for you do to the same and put your resentment aside. Because you might not like him, but he’s Israel’s Prime Minister, and through this position, he represents 7 million Israelis, every time he talks to you.

I am a big believer in globalization and its powers to narrow differences, mitigate confrontations and enrich us all in many ways. When I look at my future, I see it combined with Israel’s, reaching to the outside world, using knowledge and innovation in order to make this planet a better place for us all to live in.

I don’t want this dream to end before I even got the chance to try and make it come true. “>stall a short phone call to congratulate him on his reelection, you push us all a little closer to global isolation.

When you publically talk about how Netanyahu leads us all into a big oblivion, even just by implementation – you must take in count that we are the ones suffering from the consequences. When you talk to him, you talk to all of us. True, not all of us chose him, and most certainly we do not all believe in his foreign policy, but since most of us elected him, again, we have no other choice but hope he’ll make things right.

With current affairs, I fear for Israel every day. Not because of the never-ending terror threat – because I’m still positive you will not let Israel physically vanish – but because of the global isolation threat. To the world, Netanyahu=Israel, and you must start seeing thinks the same way.

That’s why the next time you talk to him or about him, remember that he is not only the individual you may or may not dislike. He is all of us.

Behind Netanyahu stand millions of people who dream big. Adults who want to see this conflict finally come to an end, children who make plans for a bright future and young folks like me – who can’t find rest because of the fear that your words will come true and Israel would be isolated.

So yes, you got Netanyahu until November 2016, even though you clearly hoped otherwise. But please, don’t have us fear for the next time the PA approaches the UN with a request to establish an independent state without a negotiation with Israel. Don’t have us fear boycott or sanctions.

Please think of us before you condemn, make remarks or speak “in closed doors” about our Prime Minister, because everyone can hear. Think of the next Waze or Flash Drive. Think of the next IDF humanitarian delegation to a third world country.  Think of the next generation of musicians, poets, authors, filmmakers and actors. The next generation of diplomats, businessmen, scientists and ambassadors. Think of the millions who live here, and wish for the dark cloud of global isolation to fly away. Because we won’t be able to stand another 18 months of this.

Please, take another day for the election-results to sink-in, and put your personal resentments aside.

Thank you.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

A Night of Gratitude Honoring Dennis Prager

Latest Articles

A Jewish Victory

In the face of growing anti-Israel and antisemitic conduct in public schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District has delivered an important victory for our community.

Unbreakable Blue Thread: Reclaiming Our Past and Our Future

I write to you, all you first and second generations, and I assure you from generations five, six and seven that if we keep doing what we need to do, if we stand together, keep our traditions, educate ourselves in our ancient wisdom, keep Hebrew spoken and sung in our midst, we will not only endure. We Jews will thrive.

Unstuck in the Middle with You

Kwall, the Raymond P. Niro Law Professor at DePaul University College of Law, argues for a center defined by enough common commitments to make communal life possible.

Sewage Without Borders

Israel’s water security depends on what flows into the sea on the other side of all of them, and our water policy should start from that reality.

Torah Portion: Vayera

The parsha ends with the binding of Isaac, the Akeida, probably the darkest chapter in the entire Torah.

Let Them Talk

If we want our younger generations to love our faith, our culture, and our peoplehood, we need to be welcoming when they show interest and have a spark of curiosity.

A Wild and Improbable Story Hits Israel

It turns out that claim about Israel being a democracy wasn’t just propaganda. The two million Arabs who live in the world’s only Jewish state really do have the power to vote.

Why I Came to Vote in Israel

My journey to the ballot box was circuitous. The path I hope Israel will follow is derech Adonai: the way of righteousness and justice.

Bibi’s Battle

Overall, the anti-Netanyahu bloc is projected to win 53 seats, while the Netanyahu-led right-wing religious bloc is projected to win 50. Both are expected to fall well short of a 61-seat majority.

Bibi and Gadi

Let’s consider how Netanyahu and Eisenkot would govern differently given their many similarities on international and security matters.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.