Politics – May 2019 – Post Israeli Elections 2019
Scholarship should be more about articulating new ideas than about collecting information and presenting it.
Whenever man tries to become God, it is a tragedy.
~Raphael Cohen-Almagor
This year I am unable to attend the Independence Day Party that is organised by the embassy each and every year. I trust it will be a great event, as ever.
Local elections were held in Britain on May 2, 2019. They saw the return of the Lib-Dem. People are willing to forgive as they witness the conduct of the two big parties.
Reflections on Last Newsletter
Israeli Elections 2019
Israel Improves Palestinian Movement
Gaza, Again
“Deal of the Century”
Israel’s Population
Peace Index Poll, April 2019
PM Netanyahu Pushes for “Democratic Justice”
Iran
Israel Confiscates Palestinian Land
Israel Improves Palestinian Movement
Israeli and UAE Jets Exercise Together
Israel is 2nd Most Scientific Country in the World
Israel Economy Gets A+
New Scientific Collaborations
Israel - 8th Most Influential Country
The First Druze Woman MK
Plot to Destabilize the Hashemite Kingdom
Troubling Labour
Trump Is Pushing to Name Muslim Brotherhood A Terrorist Organisation
Swiss Court Ruled that the Archive of Franz Kafka Must Be Handed Over to Israel
Poland Refuses to Negotiate Restitution of Jewish Properties
3 Million Pols, 3 Million Jews
The Happiest Countries in the World
My Visit to Israel
Theatre – All My Sons
Gem of the Month – London
Monthly Poems
Light Side - 10 MOST VIEWED AMERICA'S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS! Top Talent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqxxrmF-rvU
Reflections on Last Newsletter
Professor Valerie Sanders wrote from hull:
Dear Rafi,
I found your analysis of the Israeli election very helpful, especially the way the votes were distributed across the various parties: thank you. It picks up on a radio discussion I heard the other day (BBC Radio 4) on what’s happened to the Left, and especially the Labour Party in Israel, given that it’s produced so many famous Prime Ministers in the past. The discussion was about how the Left had steadily slipped away over time and lost support, which is a worry if there’s going to be no proper opposition. Of course America and Britain are also experiencing their own kinds of political upheaval, so these are fascinating times to live through. I must be one of very few people left who isn’t tired of Brexit yet because it’s such an extraordinary constitutional crisis (my brother is the only other person I know who’s enjoying the excitement as much as I am, so we can at least discuss it with each other – both Remainers, too, so no fights!).
All the best,
Valerie
Dr Gil Shidlo wrote from Zurich:
Every Day Brings A New Story On Labour Anti-Semitism Crisis: Former Labour MP
Israeli Elections 2019 - Final Results
Likud ended up with 35 seats, as did Blue and White, the party led by Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid.
United Torah Judaism gained a seat compared to the initial results, putting its final count at eight.
The rest of the parties held on to the same number of seats:
Shas with eight;
Hadash-Ta'al and Labour with six each;
Yisrael Beiteinu and Union of Right-Wing Parties with five each;
Meretz, Balad-United Arab List, and Kulanu with four each.
Netanyahu is likely to have a coalition of 65 MKs.
Gaza, Again
Every Friday is a tense day in Gaza. There is a repeated ritual. After Friday prayers, people gather near the fence and protest against the Israeli closure of the Strip. Often the protests escalate into violence.
May 3, 2019 was no different. A Palestinian shot and wounded two Israeli soldiers at the boundary fence. The IDF blamed Islamic Jihad for the shooting and immediately retaliated. An Israeli air force strike killed two Hamas militants. Another two Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire at the fence. Islamic Jihad responded by launching rocket attacks on Saturday. On Sunday, May 5, 2019, more than 700 rockets were fired on Israeli neighbouring towns. Four Israeli civilians were killed. Israel responded with airstrikes on more than 300 targets. 23 Palestinians died.
The violence erupted amid negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a deal in which Israel would ease restrictions on Gaza in return for calm. Hamas said Israel had agreed to continue to permit $30 million in Qatari cash for employment projects and humanitarian aid, expand fishing rights and ease trade restrictions. In recent months, the cash has not arrived, and Hamas has fallen under increasing pressure ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting and feasting. Israel also announced it would cease all fuel imports into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, impacting Gaza’s already patchy power supply.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said a “return to calm” was possible if Israel committed to implementing the “understandings” that had been reached. Ceasefire was declared early on May 6, 2019.
Israel was very much interested in restoring immediate calm as it is about the host the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv (May 14-18, 2019). The last thing Israel needs is to see countries cancelling the arrival of their delegations amid security concerns. Hamas has increased the range of its rockets and might strike Tel Aviv, where the international contest will be held.
Hamas said this is merely a ceasefire. Violence will continue as long as Israel continues its blockade of Gaza.
“Deal of the Century”
Former EU leaders urged the EU to reject the Deal if it does not include the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Some three dozen senior former European politicians published a call on Sunday for the European Union to reaffirm its commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and reject any Trump peace plan that does not address Palestinian demands. The letter, published in the UK’s Guardian newspaper, comes with the White House expected to soon publish its long-awaited plan and following an election promise made by PM Netanyahu to effectively annex West Bank settlements. The letter, signed by several former prime ministers and foreign ministers, said the EU must continue to insist on “a Palestinian state alongside Israel on borders based on the pre-1967 lines with mutually agreed.” See also, “Europe must stand by the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine” (Guardian)
We are reaching out at a critical point in time in the Middle East, as well as in Europe. The EU is heavily invested in the multilateral, rules-based international order. International law has brought us the longest period of peace, prosperity and stability our continent has ever enjoyed. For decades, we have worked to see our Israeli and Palestinian neighbours enjoy the peace dividends that we Europeans have through our commitment to that order.- In partnership with previous US administrations, Europe has promoted a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the context of a two-state solution. To this date, despite subsequent setbacks, the Oslo agreement is still a milestone of transatlantic foreign policy cooperation.
- Unfortunately, the current US administration has departed from longstanding US policy and distanced itself from established international legal norms. It has so far recognised only one side’s claims to Jerusalem and demonstrated a disturbing indifference to Israeli settlement expansion. The US has suspended funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and for other programmes benefitting Palestinians – gambling with the security and stability of various countries located at Europe’s doorstep.
- Against this unfortunate absence of a clear-cut commitment to the vision of two states, the Trump administration has declared itself close to finalising and presenting a new plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Despite uncertainty as to if and when the plan will be released, it is crucial for Europe to be vigilant and act strategically.
- We believe that Europe should embrace and promote a plan that respects the basic principles of international law as reflected in the agreed EU parameters for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These parameters, which the EU has systematically reaffirmed during past US-sponsored talks, reflect our shared understanding that a viable peace requires the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel on borders based on the pre-1967 lines with mutually agreed, minimal and equal land swaps; with Jerusalem as the capital for both states; with security arrangements that address legitimate concerns and respect the sovereignty of each side and with an agreed, fair solution to the question of Palestine refugees.
- Europe, by contrast, should reject any plan that does not meet this standard. While sharing Washington’s frustrations about the unsuccessful peace efforts of the past. we are convinced that a plan that reduces Palestinian statehood to an entity devoid of sovereignty, territorial contiguity and economic viability would severely compound the failure of previous peace-making efforts, accelerate the demise of the two-state option and fatally damage the cause of a durable peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
- It is, of course, preferable for Europe to be working in tandem with the US to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as to address other global issues in a strong, transatlantic alliance. However, in situations in which our vital interests and fundamental values are at stake, Europe must pursue its own course of action.
- In anticipation of this US plan, we believe Europe should formally reaffirm the internationally agreed parameters for a two-state solution. Doing this in advance of the US plan establishes the EU’s criteria for supporting American efforts and facilitates a coherent and unified European response once the plan is published.
- European governments should further commit to scale up efforts to protect the viability of a future two-state outcome. It is of the utmost importance that the EU and all member states actively ensure the implementation of relevant UN security council resolutions – including consistent differentiation in accordance with UN security council resolution 2334, between Israel in its recognised and legitimate borders, and its illegal settlements in the occupied territories.
- Furthermore, recent escalating efforts to restrict the unhindered work of civil society have made European support for human-rights defenders in both Israel and Palestine, and their critical role in reaching a sustainable peace, more important than ever.
- Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories are sliding into a one-state reality of unequal rights. This cannot continue. For the Israelis, for the Palestinians or for us in Europe.Right now, Europe is facing a defining opportunity to reinforce our shared principles and long-held commitments in relation to the Middle East peace process and thereby manifest Europe’s unique role as a point of reference for a rules-based global order. Failing to seize this opportunity, at a point in time when this order is unprecedentedly challenged, would have far-reaching negative consequences.
Douglas Alexander Former minister of state for Europe, United Kingdom
Jean-Marc Ayrault Former foreign minister and prime minister, France
Carl Bildt Former foreign minister and prime minister, Sweden
Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz Former foreign minister and prime minister, Poland
Dacian Cioloș Former prime minister and European commissioner, Romania
Willy Claes Former foreign minister and Nato secretary general, Belgium
Massimo d’Alema Former foreign minister and prime minister, Italy
Karel De Gucht Former foreign minister and European commissioner, Belgium
Uffe Ellemann-Jensen Former foreign minister and president of the European Liberals, Denmark
Benita Ferrero-Waldner Former foreign minister and European commissioner for external relations, Austria
Franco Frattini Former foreign minister and European commissioner, Italy
Sigmar Gabriel Former foreign minister and vice-chancellor, Germany
Lena Hjelm-Wallén Former foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Sweden
Eduard Kukan Former foreign minister, Slovakia
Martin Lidegaard Former foreign minister, Denmark
Mogens Lykketoft Former foreign minister and UN general assembly president, Denmark
Louis Michel Former foreign minister and European commissioner, Belgium
David Miliband Former foreign secretary, United Kingdom
Holger K Nielsen Former foreign minister, Denmark
Marc Otte Former EU special representative to the Middle East peace process, Belgium
Ana Palacio Former foreign minister, Spain
Jacques Poos Former foreign minister, Luxembourg
Vesna Pusić Former foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Croatia
Mary Robinson Former president and United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Ireland
Robert Serry Former UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, the Netherlands
Javier Solana Former foreign minister, Nato secretary general and EU high representative for common foreign and security policy, Spain
Per Stig Møller Former foreign minister, Denmark
Michael Spindelegger Former foreign minister and vice-chancellor, Austria
Jack Straw Former foreign secretary, United Kingdom
Desmond Swayne Former minister of state for international development, United Kingdom
Erkki Tuomioja Former foreign minister, Finland
Ivo Vajgl Former foreign minister, Slovenia
Frank Vandenbroucke Former foreign minister, Belgium
Jozias van Aartsen Former foreign minister, the Netherlands
Hubert Védrine Former foreign minister, France
Guy Verhofstadt Former prime minister, Belgium
Lubomír Zaorálek Former foreign minister, Czech Republic
Israel’s Population
In May 2019, on the eve of its 71st Independence Day, Israel’s population was 9,021,000, of whom 6,697,000 Israelis were Jewish (74.2 percent) and 1,890,000 were Arab (20.9%). In addition, there were 434,000 non-Arab Christians or members of other ethnic groups.
I remember when the Israeli population was 2.5 million. Incredible !!!
TOI Staff, “Israel’s population tops 9 million, including 45% of world Jewry,” Times of Israel (May 6, 2019), https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-population-tops-9-million-including-45-of-world-jewry/
Peace Index Poll, April 2019
The Index investigated the Israeli public’s positions regarding four possible solutions to the conflict:
The solution of establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel was supported by 40% and rejected by 53% of the Jewish public compared to 68% support and 22% opposition among the Arab public.
Creation of a bi-national state was supported by 10% and rejected by 83% of the Jewish public, but received the support of 59% of the Arab participants, while 27% of the Arabs were opposed.
Annexation of the territories was supported by 34% and rejected by 60% of the Jewish public, in comparison to 13% of support and 70% rejection among the Arab public.
Continuing the present situation received 31% of support among the Jewish participants and while 59% were in opposition. Among the Arab public, 8% supported continuation and 72% were opposed. This means that none of the four solutions received a majority among the Jewish public, but importantly, the rate of support for a solution involving two independent states received the highest of the four, similar to the last month poll.
Regarding solutions that have the greatest chance of being realized in the foreseeable future, 43% of the Jewish public believes that the present situation will continue, and following that, in descending order, the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel (22%), annexation of the territories with limited rights for Palestinians (20%), and establishment of a binational state (4%).
Interestingly, although there was no rise in preference for the idea of annexation compared to last month, it is possible that Netanyahu’s statements about the issue and the American recognition of the annexation of the Golan Heights, led to a small increase of 5% among Jews and a sharp rise of 20% among Arabs who believe that annexation of the territories may take place in the foreseeable future.
PM Netanyahu Pushes for “Democratic Justice”
Similarities between Netanyahu and Trump are alarming. Netanyahu has been claiming that the justice system wants to put itself over and beyond democracy. He is elected PM and some people wish to oust him from office, disrespecting public vote. He is looking for immunity.
Prime Minister Netanyahu plans to advance a far-reaching bill that would allow the Knesset and government ministers to ignore rulings of the High Court of Justice in administrative matters, not just in cases where it strikes down legislation. The proposed law would permit the annulment of a High Court decision to rescind Netanyahu’s immunity, if such a decision is made. Such legislation would essentially neutralize the Supreme Court in its capacity as the High Court of Justice – something Netanyahu has never publicly supported – by turning its decisions into suggestions instead of legally binding rulings. Netanyahu plans to include in the coalition agreements and government guidelines a “legal appendix” that will include his plan to reform the judicial system.
Iran
Prime Minister Netanyahu is putting all his weight to persuade President Trump to escalate activities against Iran, trying to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat with American assistance. President Obama was willing to collaborate with Netanyahu to an extent, until he did not. Netanyahu seems to have Trump’s ear closer whenever he wants. That’s something that any leader in the world would wish to have. Netanyahu tries to put an end to the Iranian threat now, as long as Trump is still a functioning president of sort. On this issue, Netanyahu and I are in close agreement. The Iranian threat is existential. Israel PM should do his best to see that the threat is removed. One lesson we learn from history is to take enemies’ threats very seriously, listen to them carefully, and analyze their abilities to act upon threats.
Israel Confiscates Palestinian Land
In a move to bolster the physical ties between sovereign Israel and the settlement of Hebron, Israel is moving forward on a bypass road that will expand the major Road 60 artery that links the Gush Etzion junction with the Kiryat Arba settlement. Settlers have long lobbied the government for permission to build the road, which they said is needed to improve traffic safety and prevent terrorist attacks along the route. The left-wing group Peace Now opposes the plan because it calls for the confiscation of private Palestinian property from the villages of Beit Ommar and Halhul. The two villages have 60 days from the date on the order to appeal the plan.
Israel Improves Palestinian Movement
After years of operating a woefully inadequate and inefficient pedestrian checkpoint in Qalandiya that often left Palestinian laborers from the central West Bank waiting in extremely long lines, Israel finally inaugurated a new checkpoint in the area. The checkpoint is located at the southern end of Kafr Aqab, Jerusalem’s northernmost neighborhood, which abuts the West Bank security barrier and has suffered from years of poor municipal services. The estimated 60,000 Kafr Aqab residents, many of whom are permanent residents of Israel, and other Palestinians in the central West Bank must cross through Qalandiya or another checkpoint to reach the center of Jerusalem.
Israeli and UAE Jets Exercise Together
The Israel Air Force, along with pilots from the United Arab Emirates, United States, Greece, Italy and Cyprus took part of Iniohos 2019 - Greece’s largest military exercise.
Israel is 2nd Most Scientific Country in the World
Israel is the second most scientific / innovative nation in the world, in a report compiled by engineering firm RS Components and published in the U.K.’s Daily Mail. Israel is ranked after the U.S. and ahead of South Korea. R&D spending and researchers per capita were key factors.
Israel Economy Gets A+
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Israel’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘A+’ with a Stable Outlook. It highlights robust macroeconomic performance, solid institutional strength, low external debt, high financing flexibility and low government deficit.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3759051,00.html ;
https://www.fitchratings.com/site/pr/10067358
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3759051,00.html ;
https://www.fitchratings.com/site/pr/10067358
New Scientific Collaborations
A partnership to beat cancer. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Weizmann Institute is partnering Institut Curie in Paris to advance knowledge and discovery in life sciences, physics and chemistry, focusing on cancer research. The new partnership also extends to cellular biology, epigenetics, genetics, immunology, single-cell sequencing.
https://www.weizmann.ac.il/WeizmannCompass/sections/features/weizmann-and-curie-a-new-partnership
https://www.weizmann.ac.il/WeizmannCompass/sections/features/weizmann-and-curie-a-new-partnership
The best antidepressant. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Taliaz is partnering with Psychiatry UK to deliver artificial intelligence-driven genetic testing to depression sufferers. Their Predictix service aims to reduce patient suffering by helping psychiatrists better identify the right antidepressant medication earlier.
https://www.israel21c.org/artificial-intel-finds-best-antidepressant-for-a-patient/ ; https://www.psychiatry-uk.com/predictix-genetic-testing/ ; https://www.taliazhealth.com/
https://www.israel21c.org/artificial-intel-finds-best-antidepressant-for-a-patient/ ; https://www.psychiatry-uk.com/predictix-genetic-testing/ ; https://www.taliazhealth.com/
US-Israel scientific alliance. Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the American National Academy of Sciences and Humanities have signed a cooperation agreement. It includes provision for two annual scientific conferences one in Israel and one in the US for eminent scientists in various fields from both countries.
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Sealing-another-important-bond-between-Israel-and-the-US-586025
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Sealing-another-important-bond-between-Israel-and-the-US-586025
Finland is a hi-tech partner. The Israel-Finland Pilot Program has been launched by the Israel Innovation Authority and the Helsinki Business Hub. It will help Israeli and Helsinki-area companies to co-develop technologies, products and services including digital health, smart mobility and communications.
https://www.israel21c.org/israel-and-finland-launch-digital-health-collaboration/
https://www.israel21c.org/israel-and-finland-launch-digital-health-collaboration/
Israel - 8th Most Influential Country
In its 2019 list, US News & World Report has ranked Israel as the world’s eighth-most influential country. The report describes Israel as “the only Jewish nation in the world... a small country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea” that has had a large influence on global affairs.
The First Druze Woman MK
Gadeer Mreeh of the Blue and White party is the first woman of Druze ethnicity to become a Member of Israel’s Parliament. The 34-year-old mother of two from the Israeli Druze town of Daliyat al-Karmel was a former news anchor.
Plot to Destabilize the Hashemite Kingdom
Jordanian King Abdullah II fired several senior officials over the past week following reports of a plot to destabilize the kingdom, including the general intelligence chief, the king’s adviser on policy and information and several other senior advisers. The Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas reported that several senior and influential Jordanian figures had conspired to hold a mass protest outside the royal palace in Amman to demonstrate a lack of public confidence in Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz and to create instability in the kingdom. The newspaper cited sources that it described as reliable.
Troubling Labour
Labour’s shadow justice secretary and Corbyn ally Richard Burgon: ‘the enemy of the Palestinian people is not the Jewish people. The enemy of the Palestinian people are Zionists, and Zionism is the enemy of peace and the enemy of the Palestinian people…’ https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2019/04/watch-richard-burgon-caught-out-saying-zionism-is-the-enemy-of-peace/
Trump Is Pushing to Name Muslim Brotherhood A Terrorist Organisation
The White House directed national security and diplomatic officials to find a way to place sanctions on the group after a White House visit on April 9 by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, for whom the Brotherhood represents a source of political opposition.
Swiss Court Ruled that the Archive of Franz Kafka Must Be Handed Over to Israel
The court upheld several Israeli verdicts that over the course of the years stated that the manuscripts belong to the National Library of Israel.
Kafka’s archive has been the object of a decades-long legal battle between the State of Israel and the family of the late Esther Hoffe, who was in possession of the material partially located in Israel and partially in Switzerland.
Hoffe was the secretary of Max Brod, a close friend of Kafka. In 1924 Kafka, at the point of death, entrusted his archive – including drafts, note, letters and drawings – to Brod, asking him to destroy everything.
Brod disobeyed Kafka’s wishes, publishing “The Trial,” “The Castle” and “Amerika” in the late 1920s and 1930s.
When Brod and his wife, Elsa, fled Nazi-occupied Prague for Tel Aviv in 1939, Brod carried all of Kafka’s papers with him.
Brod died childless in 1968, leaving the collection to Hoffe with the instructions that she donate the collection to a public institution, if not in life, then immediately following her death. Kafka’s friend noted Israel’s National Library at the top of his list of suggested public institutions, but left the final decision to his secretary.
Brod disobeyed Kafka’s wishes, publishing “The Trial,” “The Castle” and “Amerika” in the late 1920s and 1930s.
When Brod and his wife, Elsa, fled Nazi-occupied Prague for Tel Aviv in 1939, Brod carried all of Kafka’s papers with him.
Brod died childless in 1968, leaving the collection to Hoffe with the instructions that she donate the collection to a public institution, if not in life, then immediately following her death. Kafka’s friend noted Israel’s National Library at the top of his list of suggested public institutions, but left the final decision to his secretary.
In 1988, Hoffe sold an original copy of Kafka’s The Trial for $2 million. Following her death in 2007, Esther Hoffe left the remaining papers to her two daughters, Ruth Wiesler and Eva Hoffe. The following year, when Eva and Ruth wanted to sell the papers, they were met with opposition from the National Library of Israel, who fought them in court to obtain the materials so they could be properly studied, preserved and made available to the public.
See https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Kafkas-archive-to-be-handed-over-to-Israel-Swiss-court-says-587361
Poland Refuses to Negotiate Restitution of Jewish Properties
Poland canceled a visit by Israeli officials, alleging that they intended to raise the issue of the restitution of Jewish properties seized during the Holocaust, a matter Warsaw insists is closed. “Poland decided to cancel the visit of Israeli officials after the Israeli side made last minute changes in the composition of the delegation suggesting that the talks would primarily focus on the issues related to property restitution,” the foreign ministry in Warsaw said in a statement posted to its website. It said a delegation headed by Avi Cohen-Scali, the director general of the Israeli Ministry for Social Equality, had been due in Warsaw on May 13. Several thousand nationalists rallied in Warsaw on Saturday against a US law on the restitution of Jewish properties seized during the Holocaust.
3 Million Pols, 3 Million Jews
A few years ago, I was hosted for lunch by a Vice Chancellor of a Polish university. He spoke of the bonds between the Polish people, the Jewish people, and Israel. These bonds have long historical roots, when Poland opened its gates to Jews so they could practice their religion freely without fear of persecution. He said that Poland and the Jews were victims of Nazism, and that six million people were killed by the Nazis: 3 million Pols, and3 million Jews.
According to this, were Jews ever an integral part of Poland? I welcome your views.
The Happiest Countries in the World
Finland came out on top of the United Nation’s World Happiness Report. The top 3 countries are all Nordic countries, with the region yet again living up to its reputation as one of the happiest regions in the world. New Zealand and Canada are the only non-European countries to make it into the top 10 happiest countries. Australia is ranked 11. Israel is ranked 13.
The U.S. and UK switched places. The UK jumped four places when compared to the last survey period, while the U.S. fell by five spots in the ranking. The index is based on six factors: GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, social assistance and perception of corruption in government or business.
My Visit to Israel
I plan to be in Israel in late June-early July and will be happy to meet friends and colleagues.
Theatre – All My Sons
All My Sons is theatre at its best. I saw it a number of times, in different countries, overwhelmed by its sensitivity, moved by the drama, impressed by Arthur Miller’s ability to bring to the stage a story that combines the basics of good drama: Love, family, death, human frailties, cruelty, war. All My Sons was Miller’s first important play, and arguably his best. Miller is my favourite playwright.
All My Sons is such an excellent play that it is difficult to go wrong. Still, you need good actors to bring these lines to life. Sally Field and Colin Morgan are excellent.
There is one line that captures much of the play, when the mother Kate (Sally Field) tells her son Chris (Colin Morgan): You must believe that Larry (his brother) is alive; otherwise your father is a murderer. This encapsulates her love to her son, and to her husband, wishing to retain her family, wishing to hold something that is lost by her immense power of the will.
It is one thing to make a mistake. It is another thing to make a colossal mistake due to greed and then put the blame on another. Evil thrives when good people remain silent and let it happen. The world is full with “pragmatists”, spineless people who accept evil. Luckily, there are always a few who resist, who remain loyal to their values, who retain morality and do something, notwithstanding the personal price they might need to bear. In Miller’s play, this is Chris who wishes to marry Larry’s fiancée Ann and learns, in the hardest way, how much dirt has been hidden under the home carpet. Chris is unable to look without see, know without do, make believe without belief, acknowledge evil without a protest. It takes one determined person to bring change.
Bill Pullman is not the right actor to play Joe Keller. His powerful line, “they all were my sons” was lost. I have seen him in much better roles.
**** in Rafi’s scale.
Gem of the Month – London
I have attended some interesting talks and delivered a few myself. London is exciting and interesting with brilliant minds to relish and enjoy.
Here is a view from one of my favourite places. I spend much of my time enjoying culture that London has to offer in abundance, possibly second in the world after the Great City of New York.
View from Southbank
Monthly Poems
Another Country
Staffed people
Long strong legs
Tiring long faces
Glasses of mild cherry
Impossible words
Leninist nonsense
Another country
Dreary ambiance
Hollow giggle holding his statute as an icon
Do not disturb the party.
Artificial tan
Want to be nice having no doubt
Fancy stripe black dress
Excluded purple fun
Senseless without being drunk.
Raphael Almagor
Light Side - 10 MOST VIEWED AMERICA'S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS! Top Talent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqxxrmF-rvU
Enjoy!
Peace and Love. Yours as ever,
Rafi
My last communications are available on Israel: Democracy, Human Rights, Politics and Society, http://almagor.blogspot.com
People wishing to subscribe to this Monthly Newsletter are welcome to e-mail me at r.cohen-almagor@hull.ac.uk
Follow me on Twitter at @almagor35
