WINSTON CHURCHILL famously said that democracy is the worst political system, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.
Anyone involved with political life knows that that is British understatement
Churchill also said that the best argument against democracy is a five minute talk with an average voter. How true.
I have witnessed 20 election campaigns for the Knesset. In five of them I was a candidate, in three of them I was elected.
As a child I also witnessed three election campaigns in the dying days of the Weimar republic, and one (the last more or less democratic one) after the Nazi ascent to power.
(The Germans at that time were very good at graphic propaganda, both political and commercial. After more than 80 years, I still remember some of their election posters.)
Elections are a time of great excitement. The streets are plastered with propaganda, politicians talk themselves hoarse, sometimes violent clashes break out.
Not now. Not here. 17 days before the election, there is an eerie silence. A stranger coming to Israel would not notice that there is an election going on. Hardly any posters in the streets. Articles in the newspapers on many other subjects. People shouting at each other on TV as usual. No rousing speeches. No crowded mass meetings.
EVERYBODY KNOWS that this election may be crucial, far more so than most.
It may be the final battle for the future of Israel – between the zealots of Greater Israel and the supporters of a liberal state. Between a mini-empire that dominates and oppresses another people and a decent democracy. Between settlement expansion and a serious search for peace. Between what has been called here "swinish capitalism" and a welfare state.
In short, between two very different kinds of Israel.
So what is being said about this fateful choice?
Nothing.
The word "peace" – shalom in Hebrew – is not mentioned at all. God forbid. It is considered political poison. As we say in Hebrew: "He who wants to save his soul must distance himself".
All the "professional advisers", with whom this country is teeming, strongly admonish their clients never ever to utter it. "Say political agreement, if you must. But for Gods sake, do not mention peace!"
Same about occupation, settlements, transfer (of populations) and such. Keep away. Voters may suspect that you have an opinion. Avoid it like the plague.
The Israeli welfare state, once the envy of many countries (remember the kibbutz?) is falling apart. All our social services are crumbling. The money goes to the huge army, big enough for a medium power. So does anyone suggest drastically reducing the military? Of course not. What, stick the knife in the backs of our valiant soldiers? Open the gates to our many enemies? Why, that's treason!
So what do the politicians and the media talk about? What is exciting the public mind? What reaches the headlines and evening news?
Only the really serious matters. Does the Prime minister's wife pocket the coins for returned bottles? Does the Prime Minister's official residence show signs of neglect? Did Sara Netanyahu use public funds to install a private hairdresser's room in the residence?
SO WHERE is the main opposition party, the Zionist Camp (a.k.a. the Labor Party)?
The party labors (no pun intended) under a great disadvantage: its leader is the Great Absent One of this election.
Yitzhak Herzog does not have a commanding presence. Of slight build, more like a boy than a hardened warrior, with a thin, high voice, he does not seem like a natural leader. Cartoonists have a hard time with him. He does not have any pronounced characteristics that make him easily recognizable.
He reminds me of Clement Attlee. When the British Labor Party could not decide between two conspicuous candidates, they elected Attlee as the compromise candidate.