Two Earthquakes (Uri Avnery)

[Violet_Crumble]

A POLITICAL earthquake is itself a rare event. When two major political earthquakes follow each other in quick succession, this is almost unheard of.

One such earthquake was the election of Amir Peretz as leader of the Labor Party. The other is Sharon's leaving the Likud and forming a new party.

Suddenly, the political landscape has changed beyond recognition. Previously, there were two mountains. Now there are three - and none of them stands where either of the two was standing before.

The Likud has evolved over the last 28 years into a center-right party. Its extreme nationalist views have been diluted with opportunism and ever growing corruption. Its leadership became intertwined with the ultra-rich, who dictated its economic policy, even if most of its voters belonged to the underprivileged.

The Labor party has become its own tombstone. It has turned into a pale copy of the Likud, a kind of Likud 2. Its main gravedigger, Shimon Peres, was also its main representative, while also acting as Sharon's chief propagandist throughout the world.

This landscape does not exist any more.

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=107&ItemID=9209

[Talismom]

1. Avnery is one of my heros and I thank you for alerting us to this piece!

I knew it would be well written, but it's also a very interesting perspective that is worth considering.

[Wordie]

2. Such a hopeful article...

I especially liked this part:
<snip>
For years now an abnormal situation has prevailed in Israel and driven social scientists crazy: according to all public opinion polls, most of the public wants peace and is prepared to make almost all the necessary concessions, but in the Knesset this position has hardly been represented at all..

During all these years, my optimism has irritated many people. I told everyone: this will not go on. Some day, in a way that we cannot yet foresee, this abnormal state will right itself. One way or another, the political scene will attune itself to public opinion.

An earthquake causes changes on the ground, but is itself caused by forces deep in the earth. This is true in political life, too: the changes hidden in the depths of public consciousness eventually result in changes that are visible to the eye. The outcome is quick and sudden, but it results from a long, slow subterranean process. I am proud of the role that I and my partners have had in this.

What will happen now? That depends on many factors. On us, too.
<unsnip>

Reading this, one almost believes that change is possible!

I was also unaware that Peretz had any hopes of a win. This suggests otherwise. Good.

[occuserpens]

3. On shift to the left,

Avnery is delusional.