Coming from a corner of the world ruled almost entirely by kings, emirs, ayatollahs, mullahs, presidents-for-life and assorted tin-horn despots, the political brawl in Israel–less than three weeks before elections–is welcome spectacle. If only Israel’s Arab neighbors could bring themselves to take a look, they could learn valuable pointers about that exotic process known as “democracy.”
Not two weeks ago it seemed as if Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Likud Party would easily retain power. No problem. Then came newspaper reports of corruption in the Likud and allegations that Sharon and his two sons might have accepted illegal loans and contributions. Huge problem.
Now Likud has dropped so much in the polls the election is turning into a real horse race.
The latest blow came Thursday when television coverage of a podium-pounding news conference convened by Sharon to refute the charges was cut off in mid-sentence. Turns out a judge overseeing electoral procedures decided that Sharon’s on-air rantings at his opponent, the Labor Party’s Amram Mitzna, violated rules about political propaganda before elections.
As the Palestinian uprising for independence enters its third year, the upcoming elections have become a national referendum on Israel’s response: either to stick with Sharon’s military solutions or try Mitzna’s proposal to resume peace talks unconditionally.
The corruption scandal, plus the Supreme Court’s restoration of the candidacy of two Israel-Arab legislators, further boosts Labor’s once-distant chances of a comeback. Arabs who are Israeli citizens tend to vote for left-of-center candidates, including Labor.
Now comes fantasy time. Imagine an independent Palestinian newspaper launching an investigation of Yasser Arafat that leaves him tottering as voters swing to his opponent. (But wait, what opponent?) Or a Syrian judge pulling the plug on a televised speech by President Bashar al-Assad. (Oops, it’s a military regime.) Or Saudi king Fahd ibn Abdul-Aziz going on TV to answer charges. (Me, answer?)
It’s all fantasy, that Arab countries could learn something from the Israel they loathe so much. But it’s fun to dream.
