Author Calls for Pragmatism, Urges End to Extremist Politics

Dr. Ran Baratz, writing in an opinion piece, describes a personal shift in perspective, returning to core democratic principles after a period of intense political division. He argues that the recent political climate, particularly surrounding the judicial reform, has driven both the right and the left to extremes, damaging national unity. Baratz contends that the right's approach to the reform, coupled with the rhetoric of a "full right" coalition, created an environment where the left's fears, though exaggerated, gained traction and mobilized widespread protest.

He criticizes the left's protest movement, led by figures associated with Kaplan protests, for employing "wild and illegal means" and encouraging draft refusal. However, he also acknowledges that the right experienced a "huge social and national crisis," feeling that their legitimate political views were delegitimized and that the legal system supported the protest's extreme elements. This, he states, led to anger and a sense of powerlessness within the right, fostering an "immense group conflict."

Baratz asserts that the intensity of the conflict has obscured the fact that most supporters and opponents of the reform are "normal and Zionist" individuals who share more common ground with each other than with the extremists on their respective sides. He blames "pathologists and haters" for transforming politics into a "threatening arena of boycotts and mutual cancellation culture," leading to an "escalation spiral."

He concludes that democracy is best when pragmatic and compromising, but becomes destructive when it reaches an impasse. Baratz declares his own return to pragmatism, prioritizing his identity as an Israeli and Zionist over political affiliation. He calls for a return to practical national politics, seeking compromises acceptable to a broad public, not just cynical politicians. He believes that narrow, ideologically driven coalitions have proven ineffective and that true progress requires leaders capable of finding common ground for essential reforms in areas like the justice system and security.