Does J14 allow space for criticism? “Everyone here is on drugs”

Noam Sheizaf By Noam Sheizaf August 12, 2011 | Edit

Interesting e-mail from an American-born Israeli friend, regarding the inability to voice criticism of the J14 movement in certain circles:

I am in solidarity with the protests – this is the first time that I have felt as though I must say that I am in solidarity with something in this place – and yet I have been repeatedly told that I am “bitter,” “do not belong in Israeli society,” “need to say a good word about the protests in public,” “want to see Israelis fail,” and once even told that I am a self-hating Jew with no place in Israel – by a lefty!

I feel, in no uncertain terms, that most of the people around me are on drugs. Like the way many American Liberals refused to tolerate any criticism of Obama in his campaign. The often-used Israeli tactic of attacking one’s credibility by stating they are not a Sabra has been another trend in discussions about these protests. I have never heard so many times in my life “you were not born here,” “you have no idea what going here because you are not Israeli,” etc.

I thought about writing about theses issues but I feel like I would be poking a monster with a stick. I think that the reality as it stands now is quite clear, do not raise criticism of the “revolution.” The fact that I have heard every day, “the revolution needs time, the revolution needs time,” is a signal to me that people here do not want to address systemic issues or they are scared of them.

For Christ’s sake, I was told by many close friends that I need to say how great the “revolution” was for kicking out the settlers last week (they left for Shabbat and are back last week). Yesterday, I was told how amazing it was that the settlers are “getting the silent treatment.” What’s next? J14 is going to deprive them of their juice boxes and [Kahane man Baruch] Marzel will be prohibited from an afternoon nap on Rothschild? Drugs, people here are drugs right now. No one wants to be the outsider that everyone hates. It is lonely.

Noam Sheizaf

Noam Sheizaf is an independent journalist and editor. He was the founding executive director and editor-in-chief of +972 Magazine. Prior to joining +972, he worked for Tel Aviv’s Ha-ir local paper, Ynet, and the Maariv daily, where his last position was deputy editor of the weekend magazine. He is currently working on a number of documentary films.

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