Author Laments Israel's Decline, Sees No Future for His Generation
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Author Ron Miberg believes Israelis of his generation have lost and cannot rebuild the nation due to its alleged decline under a "negligent, lying, and destructive government." He feels older citizens are too tired to engage in national reconstruction and criticizes the erosion of democratic values. Miberg draws parallels to the US, recalling the hope of the Obama era and contrasting it with current political realities, expressing deep pessimism for Israel's future and calling the current situation a "pre-known disaster."
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Author Ron Miberg believes Israelis of his generation have lost and cannot rebuild the nation.
- He criticizes the current government for neglecting national systems and diverting funds.
- Miberg laments the erosion of democratic values, morality, and decency in Israel.
- He draws parallels to the US, recalling the hope of the Obama era.
- The author expresses deep pessimism for Israel's future, calling the situation a "pre-known disaster."
Author Ron Miberg expresses deep pessimism about Israel's future, stating that regardless of election outcomes, "we" have lost. He argues that Israelis his age (70+) lack the time, will, and energy to rebuild a country he believes has been neglected by a "negligent, lying, and destructive government." Miberg feels that older Israelis, having experienced formative decades and achieved success, are now content to enjoy their remaining years with family rather than engage in national reconstruction.
He criticizes the current political climate, attributing the nation's decline to "20 years of tyranny" and a government that has allegedly diverted funds to the ultra-Orthodox. Miberg laments the loss of friends and the erosion of democratic values, morality, and basic decency, suggesting the current prime minister has lost his mental, human, and political faculties. He feels he has done his part over the past 40 years and believes his children also want no part in Israel's "sad fate."
Miberg draws parallels to the United States, recalling the hope inspired by Barack Obama's presidency and contrasting it with the current leadership. He references an email he sent to his sister in 2015, expressing concern that Israelis like himself and his like-minded friends would not survive the "new reality" which he saw as an existential threat to their way of life and democratic rights, and potentially physical annihilation. He warned of a potential wave of attacks and antisemitism, stating that "people without hope do desperate things."
The author reflects on the political divisions in the US during Obama's tenure, referencing Senator Mitch McConnell's vow to block Obama's agenda and intellectual Richard Rorty's predictions about the rise of populism fueled by a sense of betrayal among the working class. Miberg also recalls his own past criticisms of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, acknowledging that even leaders who made difficult decisions faced harsh judgment.
He concludes by noting that while Obama's presidency brought a sense of integrity and dignity to the White House, the current political landscape in both the US and Israel is dire. Miberg expresses sorrow for his homeland, stating that the new chapter beginning in Israel "cannot end well," even for those who voted for the current leadership, calling it a "pre-known disaster."