The weekend Ha’aaretz was filled with gloomy articles from the right and the left. This article by Arie Caspi is a typical example.
I pretty much agree with Caspi’s analysis except I would argue that Israel long ago lost it’s right to call itself democratic. As Caspi himself says:
“With the possible exception of a few backward states, there is no country in the world where people live under a tyrannical regime such as we have introduced in the territories. Even in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, the police do not deny citizens access to hospitals.”
I also disagree with his call to support Meretz. Since Shulamit Aloni was booted by Yossi Sarid, Meretz has stopped its vigorous fight against civil rights abuse and for social justice. The only remaining party in Israel still fighting on those fronts is Hadash – the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality. As Caspi notes, this may be the last election they are permitted to run in.