Israeli Writer: Netanyahu Has Turned Rudeness into a Virtue, So Go Out into the Streets

SadaNews - Former Israeli politician and Knesset member Uzi Baram expressed deep regret over the rapid and deep decline of the political path in Israel, exceeding all expectations, and called for widespread protests to save Israeli democracy.

He warned that the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, has eliminated what remains of political and moral values and principles, turning "rudeness" into a virtue.

Baram explained in an article in Haaretz that Israel has undermined all expectations, as all values and principles collapsed in the face of the state of "absolute madness" that has become a tangible reality and a real and imminent danger.

In response, the writer states, "Protests must return to the streets with full force. They alone are capable of creating the Israeli spirit that will push the opposition to collaborate."

He noted that Netanyahu is under pressure and extortion from his far-right allies, primarily Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, in an effort to avoid criminal conviction in corruption cases that follow him.

The former parliamentarian claimed that the Prime Minister is trying to exploit his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump - who contributed to the ceasefire in Gaza and the recovery of Israeli captives - to seek a pardon from Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

In this context, he indicated that Netanyahu may be feeling envious of the American president "who says whatever he wants whenever he wants," thus deciding to also free himself from constraints and openly request this favor (of being pardoned) from Herzog.

The writer estimates, according to SadaNews, that the "government coup" against democracy in Israel is no longer hidden from anyone, as some writers and close associates of the ruling coalition are openly "and without shame" calling for a populist leadership that would restrict the judiciary and media, without any pretense or claim of democratic reform.

Baram concludes that saving Israeli democracy requires a return of popular protests with full momentum, uniting the opposition to defend the rule of law, rejecting any infringement on the Israeli government's legal adviser Gali Baharav-Miara, and supporting a real political settlement that addresses the Palestinian cause seriously.

He warns at the end of his article that the silence of the opposition could mean the death of Israeli democracy by a single legislative blow.