It is difficult to be optimistic, but we have no choice
It is difficult to be optimistic, but we have no choice
"We must remind ourselves that most Israelis are willing to fight for the existence of the state and fight for its democratic values. Most Israelis want and can continue the Israeli miracle," said Calcalist Publisher Yoel Esteron at the Israeli Resilience Conference
This is a draft for a special announcement by the Prime Minister that will not be broadcast at eight in the evening on all channels and websites:
Citizens of Israel, I come today with a bowed head to ask for forgiveness and to announce my resignation from the Prime Ministership and elections in 100 days. All my life, I have been imbued with a sense of mission to protect the State of Israel from its enemies and fortify our national resilience. Today, citizens of Israel, I say out loud: I have failed. There are other accomplices to the terrible failure on October 7, but the prime minister bears responsibility above and beyond all of them. I also want to apologize for the severe upheaval in recent years even before the war. I accept full responsibility and wish success to those who will come in my place to rescue Israel from the crisis.
Well, as mentioned, this message will not be broadcast tonight on all channels and websites, but you can dream for a moment, right? It is allowed to dream, but what should be done when we wake up from the dream.
You noticed, I guess, that at this conference, the Israeli Resilience Conference, there are no politicians. Not all politicians are toxic, but the political discourse is toxic. That's why we decided today to give up the clichés, lies, and delusions that ministers and Knesset members utter these days. This is the worst and most dangerous government in the country's history. This is the most shameful and wretched Knesset in the history of the country. In their place, we have invited to the stage of this conference executives and experts, businessmen and social activists, who can possibly offer fresh ideas on how to continue from here and how to grow from the crisis.
At our Forecasts Conference about three months ago, I proposed several urgent national tasks: a national resolution on a New Deal, along the lines of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's plan in 1933 after the Great Depression - economic and social security reconstruction, repairs and reforms in the neglected health and education systems, the corrupt public sector, the shrinking agriculture, and strengthening the vital alliance with the United States. And perhaps most importantly, a brave initiative for national reconciliation. The first step - establishing a committee of ethical people from all sides, without politicians, that will draft a renewed national charter in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.
Of course, none of this happened. Because, with all due respect to the sophisticated business community, and with all due respect to the wonderful civil society that has been rediscovered here in all its glory, it is difficult to reboot the country when the government is not functioning and the Knesset is abusing its role. The conclusion is clear, and even trivial, but it is worth repeating here and now: in the biggest crisis since the founding of the state, we cannot be content with doing good, each in his own way. In order to restart, we must throw the failed politicians into the dustbin of history and form a fresh, smart, and honest leadership in their place. The right and the left are desperate for a new and better leadership. We learned the hard way that politics cannot be left to politicians who have led us to the abyss.
I want to end on an optimistic note despite these gloomy days. It is difficult to be optimistic, but we must remind ourselves that most Israelis are willing to fight for the existence of the state and fight for its democratic values. Most Israelis want and can continue the Israeli miracle. We have no choice. We must be optimistic.
Yoel Esteron is the Publisher of Calcalist
