I could go on until the cows come home, weighing the pros and cons, the sins and the absolute evil, up to and including the way this campaign played out. Bibi and Bogey being flown in by helicopter to Beit El to talk about building the settlements? After Bogey ordered the demolition of a brand new home in Yitzhar?? A home into which a family, the Lazar family, had sunk their life savings? The house was finally ready for them in the days leading up to Pesach and they were about to move in. And then suddenly, no house.
Bogey had it torn down.
You know, I have fantasies about confronting Bibi about some of the things he’s done. I’d say, “How could you have released all those terrorists for Gilad Schalit, after you wrote in your book about how wrong it is to capitulate to terror?”
And he’d say something that stopped short of telling me he had no choice: Obama twisted his arm behind his back. I’d look into his eyes and know he was telling me the truth.
But what would he say about Bogey having that house demolished? Surely that had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with Obama’s druthers. But it happened on Bibi’s watch.
So how do I bring myself to vote for Bibi?
It’s this: I keep coming back to that speech to Congress. His dignity, his decorum, the power of his charisma, the obvious love between him and Sara, watching from the gallery. You can see she forgave him his earlier indignities.
I had always thought: how can I trust a man with my beloved country if he cheats on his wife?? But there was love between these two. I saw it and recognized it for what it was.
And there is no one else who could have given that speech. Not with that level of greatness and humility.
I don’t trust Bibi. I don’t always know what he’s going to do. But every time someone challenges me to mention ONE THING BIBI HAS EVER DONE FOR YOU, I come back to that speech.
He gave that speech. The one Obama said was immoral for him to give. The one that had Obama losing control of his bladder in a very public way.
Only Bibi has the power to frighten Obama, to override his evil intentions against the Jews.
I tried to picture someone else in his place. Bennett, walking up to the podium, shaking hands.
And it just looked wrong. Eli Yishai? Could he deliver that speech? Does he even SPEAK English?
What about ten years from now, with the wisdom of age?
No. I just can’t see it. Bennett says all the right things, but he is annoyingly nasal, whereas Bibi’s voice is absolutely sonorous.
And yes. This is important. The quality of a leader’s voice is important.
As for blocs? I’ll leave that to the others. Bibi has always hinted that if he had a larger mandate, he could serve the interests of his right wing constituency more closely. True? False?
Ultimately, I just don’t know. And that irks me. The lack of transparency.
But we live in a tough neighborhood where there are many things happening out of the view of the public. And I have no idea what pressures are brought to bear on Bibi to do what he does.
And just like I gave Bennett a chance last time around, this time I’m going to give Bibi a chance to do the best he can by Israel.
Yes. It makes me nervous. Bibi is not a religious man. I can’t test his devotion to my principles.