Columnist Urges Allies to Stop Demonizing Netanyahu, Citing Electoral Failure
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Columnist Shi Lahav argues that personal attacks against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have backfired, strengthening his political position by allowing him to play the victim. Lahav criticizes the "demonization" of Netanyahu and points to cognitive dissonance among voters who maintain beliefs despite contradictory realities. He also criticizes the "Democrats" party for its name and perceived overreach despite a small electoral showing, urging a focus on numbers and a less personal approach to political change.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Personal attacks against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been counterproductive, strengthening his political position, argues columnist Shi Lahav.
- Lahav suggests Netanyahu's portrayal as a victim has helped him evade responsibility for failures, including October 7th.
- The columnist admits voting for Benny Gantz based on emotion and identity rather than policy knowledge.
- Lahav criticizes the "Democrats" party for its name and perceived undue influence despite winning only 8 seats.
- The article urges political allies to "internalize the numbers" and adopt a less personal approach to achieving change.
Columnist Shi Lahav argues that personal attacks and obsessive campaigns against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been counterproductive, ultimately strengthening his political standing. Lahav contends that while he personally wishes to see Netanyahu depart from leadership, the "demonization" of the Prime Minister has backfired, allowing him to portray himself as a victim and forge a "fateful identity" with his supporters. This narrative, Lahav suggests, has helped Netanyahu evade responsibility for failures, including the events of October 7th.
Lahav draws a parallel to his own past voting behavior, admitting he voted for Benny Gantz without knowing him, driven by emotion and identity rather than policy. He acknowledges Gantz's desire to unite the country but criticizes his performance as a politician. The columnist also points to a "cognitive dissonance" among some voters, who, despite evidence of Netanyahu's failures, cling to their prior beliefs, a phenomenon he also observes in some left-wing individuals who maintained pro-coexistence views even after the October 7th massacre.
The article also criticizes the "Democrats" party for its name, which implies other parties are undemocratic, despite winning only 8 seats in the recent election. Lahav suggests that supporters of this party, despite their minority status, wield significant influence in Israeli media, culture, and academia, continuing to issue directives to the "change bloc" and the country with "complete unawareness" of their actual influence.
Lahav concludes by urging his "dear friends," including lawmakers and voters, to "internalize the numbers" and suggests that the intense personal animosity towards Netanyahu has failed to achieve its goal of removing him from power. He implies that a more rational approach, rather than emotional attacks, is needed for political change.
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