israeli politics

Such a big grave for such a tiny woman, I thought, as I watched the small body slide into the hole.  But when I heard the number of emotional eulogies and turned around to see the crowd, I realized the grave was too small.  Whether in Yiddish or Hebrew the poems read were all accompanied by tears.  It is clear she will be sorely missed.

She lies next to her mate, Mula Ben Haim, who was very important to my mother.  When they first came to visit me in Israel, in 1973, they asked me to take them to Mula in his shack where he was surrounded by his paintings.  My mother introduced him as the boy she used to baby-sit for in Lida – but I also suspect that Mula and perhaps Rivka as well helped get them out.  I put 3 stones on his grave for them, and stones on Rivka’s grave for all those who asked me to be able to honor her memory. 

And just now, when we came home, just as Ezi was going to the hematologist, we got the news that his sister has just passed away, and since her husband has covid the funeral will be delayed.  There’s more but we’re going back to the demonstrations…

 

 

rivkah ben haim bassman – z”l 3.27.23 Read Post »

israeli politics

this is where it gets dangerous.  Smotrich and others are calling for counter-demonstrations.  And they are not planned to be peaceful.  The word is that the counterdemonstrations are planned to be aggressive and even violent.  All out war.  That’s all we need.


danger ahead – march 27, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

Here’s how I understand it now.  Bibi sees himself as Samson, and we are the Philistines.  So far, so good – except for those suitcases he keeps shlepping out of the country that must be filled with hundred-dollar bills so he can escape to Panama once he’s set off the warheads…    

demonstration tonight at 10.  can we make this government implode?

 

scenario – March 26, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

 Tonight we left the protest when the fish I had for my birthday lunch swam back up my throat.

I knew I’d have a doctor ready if I really needed one because they were all at the demonstration.  Toast and tea and a generous dose of Maalox seemed to do the trick.

The 200000 people demonstrating tonight, though, gave me a sense of comfort – that there is a new generation of leaders that have been created by this incredible challenge to democracy, and there is hope.

And now our Minister of Defence is calling for a halt to the reform because of a clear and present danger to the security of the country.  We’ve seen a terrible rise in serious terrorist attacks (one tonight).  In fact, since Ben Gvir has been in charge of security we’ve had some really serious security issues, not just because he is incompetent but also because the government is doing everything to prevent dialogue and quiet in the area,  I cannot understand how they don’t see it.  

 

 

doctors for democracy – Read Post »

israeli politics

Some of the sweetest people I know have been demonstrating.  Cousins, students, grammar school kids – regular people.  And they have been getting spat on, sworn at, knocked over by horses, and even arrested.  No wonder they’re all in hysterics.

I don’t even know how they can be normalized again.  It’s like we’re all in a battle, and even if we win the battle, we’ll be crazy.  

And will they ever be able to be friends again with those who accosted them?

In the meantime, our prime minister is going on vacation for week ends, and the cost to us of three-quarters of a million dollars.  You could give all those demonstrators a cruise for that money.

 

 

 

counter-demonstrators – March 24, 2023 Read Post »