Commentator Links Election Fight to Mizrahi Empowerment
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Commentator Avishai Ben-Chaim believes the upcoming elections are a fight against the empowerment of Mizrahi Jews, represented by Netanyahu. He argues that Netanyahu challenges the traditional Ashkenazi "hegemony" and its societal divisions. Ben-Chaim stated that the election's true aim is to undermine the Mizrahi public's influence in Israel, which he traces back to Begin's era.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Commentator Avishai Ben-Chaim links the election fight to the empowerment of Mizrahi Jews.
- He claims Netanyahu represents the "most radiant" expression of Mizrahi empowerment.
- Ben-Chaim argues Netanyahu disrupts the traditional Ashkenazi "hegemony" and its societal divisions.
- He believes the election aims to dismantle the Mizrahi public's presence in Israeli society.
- The commentator traces this Mizrahi empowerment back to Begin's "revolution of '77."
Commentator Avishai Ben-Chaim stated on Sunday that the upcoming elections are not solely about ousting Prime Minister Netanyahu, but rather about challenging the empowerment of Mizrahi (Eastern) Jews in Israel. Ben-Chaim argued that Netanyahu represents the "most radiant and prominent expression" of this empowerment and a shift away from the traditional Ashkenazi "hegemony."
He explained that Netanyahu disrupts the power balance and the class-based societal order that the "hegemony" established, which divided Israel into a "first Israel" and a "second Israel." Ben-Chaim noted that this same Mizrahi public, once derided by the establishment, now supports Netanyahu, whom he described as more talented than his opponents.
According to Ben-Chaim, the "hegemony" despises Netanyahu because he represents equality, a concept they fundamentally oppose. He asserted that the current election aims to dismantle the Mizrahi public's presence in Israeli society, a presence that began with Begin's "revolution of '77" and is now most significantly embodied by Netanyahu.
Ben-Chaim further elaborated that the "hegemony," acting on an unconscious instinct rather than malice, seeks to maintain the old order where representatives of "second Israel" are subordinate. Netanyahu, however, looks down upon them from above, and through his leadership, the Mizrahi public also views them as equals, which is anathema to the established order.
