Article in The Times of Israel by Andy Blumenthal: The left protests that they have the moral high ground, but while they vie for power, they ostensibly don't seem to care whether, in the process, Tel Aviv is reduced to radioactive ash. Instead of being overly focused on power politics, let's listen to each other with respect and work together to constructively solve problems in a good way

1. 3/12/23, 7:26 AM Are Leftists Driving Us Off a Cliff? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-leftists-driving-us-off-a-cliff/ 1/8
THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Leadership With Heart
Are Leftists Driving Us
Off a Cliff?
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2. 3/12/23, 7:26 AM Are Leftists Driving Us Off a Cliff? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-leftists-driving-us-off-a-cliff/ 2/8
Credit Photo: SHVETS production via https://www.pexels.com/photo/expressive-bald-woman-shouting-in-
studio-7194740/
Alt-leftists have been protesting against judicial reform in Israel for ten weeks.
At first, this seemed like just another political disagreement, but now there is
rage in the streets, and the country appears on the verge of “civil war” because
of it.
What Are They Protesting?
Since Israel does not have a constitution, the current judiciary is not anchored
in the framework of an absolute law of the land. Right now, the Israeli Supreme
Court can appoint its own justices and overrule laws and actions that are
uncontested.
Even though I don’t agree with the proposed “override clause” that would let the
Knesset overrule the Supreme Court with a simple majority, the left, which
dominates the judiciary, goes much further and is protesting the otherwise
reasonable judicial reforms that are needed to fix the Supreme Court imbalance
and bring Israel in line with all other democracies around the world.

3. 3/12/23, 7:26 AM Are Leftists Driving Us Off a Cliff? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-leftists-driving-us-off-a-cliff/ 3/8
The left is coming out firmly against any judicial reform because it is in their
best interest to keep their one-sided veto power over every government, law,
and action in Israel.
In short, they yell “democracy,” but their demands for a perpetual, self-
sustaining liberal court are exactly the opposite.
Additionally, funding and support are coming from outside governments and
NGOs, who are behind many of the agitators and the reckless course they are
driving Israel towards.
An Attempted Coup In Progress
The left is losing popularity not only because they have been weak on security
but also because of their reckless and destructive actions.
2023 so far has been disastrous for Israel at home and in the public sphere as
the world watches the leftists endlessly rally, scream, block highways, burn cars,
steal tanks, name call, threaten, refuse military service, take money out of the
country, shut down businesses, hurt the economy (check the stock market,
currency, etc.), ask for international intervention, and create hate and disunity
at a time when we need to work together more than ever.
In one particularly disgraceful action this week, El Al had to look for pilots to
take Prime Minister Netanyahu to Italy for meetings because the plane crew
refused to do their job.
In another instance, this time in America, Jewish groups are shunning Israeli
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on his trip to Washington this week
because they disapprove of his far-right views.

4. 3/12/23, 7:26 AM Are Leftists Driving Us Off a Cliff? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-leftists-driving-us-off-a-cliff/ 4/8
While it’s okay to disagree, it’s not okay to be disrespectful and destructive to
the functioning of Israel and its official representatives!
The protests are not designed to resolve the conflict but rather to shut down the
country indefinitely and overturn the election. Let’s call it what it really is—an
attempted coup d’etat.
Dire Consequences
No doubt, these agitators know that they are snarling up the works of an already
endangered, tiny Israel, where terror attacks are frequent and devastating. In
addition, just this week, Iran and Saudi Arabia joined forces. Given that Iran has
enough fissile material for a bomb now, Israel is under an existential threat that
has arguably not occurred since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
The left protests that they have the moral high ground, but while they vie for
power, they ostensibly don’t seem to care whether, in the process, Tel Aviv is
reduced to radioactive ash. Instead of being overly focused on power politics,
let’s listen to each other with respect and work together to constructively solve
problems in a good way.
A Spiritual Reflection
After synagogue today, an Israeli friend said to me,
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5. 3/12/23, 7:26 AM Are Leftists Driving Us Off a Cliff? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-leftists-driving-us-off-a-cliff/ 5/8
This past week, we celebrated Purim, where the Jews came together and, under
G-d’s miraculous hand, mutually fought against the evil Haman in the Persian
Empire (today’s Iran).
Further, the first and second Temples were destroyed because of Sinat Chinam
(baseless hatred of one Jew against another), and now disunity and greed for
power risk destroying our third Temple.
Just as we have in the past, the Jewish people, with Hashem’s help, must
overcome our fractious ways and work together to save our people once again.
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I am really worried about what’s going on in Israel. This can end very, very
badly…either in civil war or in a horrible regional conflict with Iran when we
are so disunited at home. ”
“

6. 3/12/23, 7:26 AM Are Leftists Driving Us Off a Cliff? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-leftists-driving-us-off-a-cliff/ 6/8
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life,
culture, and security. All opinions are his own.
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Conversation 7 Comments
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J jonmaestro
2 hours ago
"The protests are not designed to resolve the conflict..."
As opposed to the way the current coalition has tried to jam in the reforms without
any discussion? And when asked to slow down to have dialog, they completely
refuse?
Many agree that judicial reform is necessary. Let's find a way to get to an outcome
that all find reasonable via dialog.

7. 3/12/23, 7:26 AM Are Leftists Driving Us Off a Cliff? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-leftists-driving-us-off-a-cliff/ 7/8
And let's not be so naive as to not recognize this crisis is driven by Bibi's desire to
stay out of jail
Reply · 2 1 · Share
M mike
5 hours ago
Edmund Burke said, "Democracy is NOT the tyranny of transient majorities but the
consensus of the living, the dead and the as yet unborn. These judicial reforms
reflect no such consensus and are therefore UNdemocratic.
Reply · 1 · Share
1 reply
A agro2001ad
2 hours ago
Andy, my dear Jewish brother, the problem we have here in bringing the Jewish
people together is that people are speaking past each other, not with each other,
and you seem to be one such person. There may be some protesters who are
maximalists demanding no reform whatsoever. But i have seen no evidence that
most protesters are demanding that. Have you? Perhaps they are people just like
you, disagreeing with the override clause, and that is what they are protesting
against, not against judicial reform as a whole. If you have evidence, please
provide it, otherwise you are contributing to the problem by making baseless
accusations that makes dialogue and consensus-building more difficult.
Reply · 2 1 · Share
MF Morton Friedman
6 hours ago
Bravo, I am surprised that this left-wing rag which has helped whip people into a
frenzy has allowed your excellent piece. I will be more surprised if they do not
strike this comment on the basis that it violates community standards.
Reply · 3 1 · Share
P pepjinbruh
2 hours ago
Honestly, those sneaky "alt-leftists" are everywhere! They've infiltrated every
sector of society! It seems all the doctors, nurses, pilots, tech execs, academics,
economists, lawyers and elite IDF soldiers are all "alt-leftists"! You can't walk ‫ארבע‬

8. 3/12/23, 7:26 AM Are Leftists Driving Us Off a Cliff? | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-leftists-driving-us-off-a-cliff/ 8/8
‫אמות‬ without hitting one! One might almost think there are so many more of them
than the "rightists" who are the real patriots!
The instinct to double down when one is backing the wrong side, twist every event
to suit one's narrative, and blame everyone else other than one's own pigheaded,
exclusionary and oppositional attitude is a truly fascinating example of human
nature.
Reply · 1 1 · Share
C claytonmiller06111
6 hours ago
The Left is really starting to lose it.
Reply · 1 1 · Share
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