Eden Ben Zaken Case Highlights Risks of 'Only Not Bibi' Culture in Israel

The controversy surrounding Israeli singer Eden Ben Zaken is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a growing phenomenon in Israeli public discourse known as "Only Not Bibi." Originally a political boycott against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this attitude has seeped into media and culture, threatening to target anyone associated with him. While opposing Netanyahu is a legitimate democratic stance, the problem arises when political disagreement turns into personal ostracism, extending to those who merely appear with or support him.

Ben Zaken, who is neither a politician nor government official, faced calls for her removal from a music program simply because she was photographed with Netanyahu. This shift from political opposition to social blacklisting marks a dangerous boundary where the debate moves beyond Netanyahu himself to anyone linked to him, even briefly. Such social exclusion contradicts democratic values and pluralism, which require tolerance of differing views and associations.

The article warns that this trend could escalate, starting with boycotting disliked politicians, then their supporters, and eventually anyone who interacts with them. It emphasizes that professional or public punishment for personal associations undermines democratic tolerance and freedom. The Eden Ben Zaken case serves as a cautionary example of how political conflicts can dangerously spill over into cultural and social realms, threatening open discourse and coexistence in Israeli society.