Likud's Ideological Roots Debated Amidst Jabotinsky Legacy Claims
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Yossi Ahimeir criticizes arguments that the Likud party has strayed from Ze'ev Jabotinsky's ideology, stating that relying only on his "Iron Wall" essay is incomplete. He argues that Jabotinsky envisioned a Jewish state on both sides of the Jordan River, benefiting all inhabitants. Ahimeir suggests that critics selectively quote Jabotinsky, ignoring his broader vision of a prosperous and inclusive society.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Author Yossi Ahimeir argues that judging the Likud's adherence to Ze'ev Jabotinsky's ideology based solely on one essay is insufficient.
- Ahimeir contends that critics selectively quote Jabotinsky, ignoring his broader vision of a Jewish state spanning both banks of the Jordan River.
- He points to Jabotinsky's emphasis on prosperity for all inhabitants, including Arabs, in his historical vision.
- The author criticizes Professor Daniel Friedman for relying only on the "Iron Wall" article to assess the Likud's ideology.
- Ahimeir acknowledges that the Likud has not fully implemented all aspects of Jabotinsky's ideological richness.
- The Likud, however, upholds the principle of a united homeland and opposes a Palestinian state.
Author Yossi Ahimeir argues that judging the Likud party's adherence to Ze'ev Jabotinsky's ideology based solely on his "Iron Wall" essay is insufficient and misleading. Ahimeir, responding to Professor Daniel Friedman, contends that critics who selectively quote Jabotinsky's writings to criticize the Likud and its leader, Netanyahu, ignore significant portions of his thought that do not serve their agenda.
Ahimeir highlights Jabotinsky's vision of a Jewish state spanning both banks of the Jordan River, representing historical Greater Israel. He points to Jabotinsky's own words, including a 1934 recorded speech, emphasizing a state that would bring prosperity to all its inhabitants, Jews and Arabs alike. This broader perspective, Ahimeir asserts, is often overlooked by those who focus only on the military aspects of Jabotinsky's philosophy.
The author criticizes the tendency to cherry-pick statements, such as a line from the poem "Shmal Hayarden" (West of the Jordan), while omitting its continuation about purity and righteousness. He suggests that Professor Friedman falls into this trap by relying solely on the "Iron Wall" article to conclude that the Likud has strayed from Jabotinsky's teachings.
Ahimeir acknowledges that the Likud, despite being central to the right-wing camp, has not fully implemented the breadth of Jabotinsky's ideological richness during its years in power. However, he notes that the party upholds the principle of a united homeland and opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state on the western part of historical Israel.
