Published: 15 May 2025
Last updated: 15 July 2025
As someone who loves Israel and her people, a committed Zionist - I lie awake at night, worried sick.
Since October 7, we’ve all been painfully aware of the external threats and the trauma affecting Israelis. But I’m also deeply alarmed by the internal threat posed by Israel’s far-right government - a significant threat to the moral fibre and soul of the Jewish state.
This is not politics as usual. It’s not a left-right debate. It’s a struggle between integrity and corruption, democracy and authoritarianism. And as diaspora Jews we must ask: what is our role, our moral responsibility?
The current government, led by Netanyahu and propped up by extremists, is dismantling basic foundations of Israeli democracy - undermining the judiciary, attacking the rule of law, and stripping away checks and balances in a country without a constitution. Netanyahu fired the Minister of Defence and the Head of Shin Bet, and pressured the Chief of Staff to resign not only over October 7, but for daring to challenge him - all while refusing to take any responsibility himself. Although 70% of Israelis demand an official state commission of inquiry into Oct 7, Netanyahu blocks it. Now the government is working to remove the Attorney General.
What if the country we rely on as a refuge becomes one we’re not comfortable to live in?
At the same time, the war in Gaza grinds on - with massive civilian suffering, no clear military endgame, and no diplomatic vision for the future. It’s almost impossible to destroy Hamas if there is no alternative for the people of Gaza. But this government has refused to engage with any plan for how Gaza should be managed after Hamas. Instead, we hear talk of occupation and settlements. Many of Israel’s own security experts warn this would be catastrophic. Do we really want a future where Israel rules over millions more Palestinians?
Comments23
Ian Light23 July at 04:00 am
Change for the Humanitarian Way of a Ceasefire for Release of all Hostages and Resumption of the necessary water food and energy aid for the people of Gaza can begin . .
But it will require the Centre -Left Parties namely the Lapid led Yesh Atid Party the Blue and White National Unity Party of Benjamin Gantz the Yair Golan Democrats Party to commit to a Coalition with the Sane amongst the Centre-Right led if necessary by Netanyahu to form the Ceasefire-No War Security Defence and Deterrence Coalition .
Then the plans to rule Gaza by Arab Forces backed by the moderate Islamic States the USA and the EU can commence rebuilding .
Rachel Sussman21 May at 07:06 am
Thank you for this article
I certainly do not agree with all that is stated but I agree in essence. Like the author I have not slept much in the past 19months as I listen to Israel TV channels (12 and 14) at night to try and get a sense of what is happening in Israel.
I love Israel, I was born there, grew up there, serviced there, and have a vast circle of family and friends there. Israel is in my blood and heart and while the external situation is worrisome, it is the internal that is breaking my heart….the far right element is clearly destructive and Bibi seems to be powerless… Like the writer, I am aware of the Israelis exhaustion (and mine), and I agree, we must for sure stand with Israel but part of standing
with Israel may be to not be afraid to speak up against some actions /inactions this very bad right Government is taking.
Thank you for putting words into my feelings and concerns.
andrew wirth21 May at 04:37 am
Beautifully expressed piece dealing with such painful issues. Noting a previous comment objecting to use of the term extremist… members of the present Israeli government represent a stream of politics that was justly shunned as beyond the pale by the center of Israeli politics in the past.
John Lazarus21 May at 04:27 am
My input up here in Byron Bay – the local paper ‘the Echo’ printed my letter below, in response to a previous caustic letter.
Talitha Mitchell’s letter Echo 14/05, expresses the horror we all should feel at the Israeli Palestinian conflict, but Israelis do not deserve to be generalised, stereotyped, or dehumanised by Talitha, any more than Palestinians should be. She witnessed the abhorrent in-your-face conflicts there, but fails to understand either the bases of the conflict, or the efforts of Israelis and Palestinians joining together to build peace there. On May 9, over 5,000 Israelis and Palestinians peace activists came together in Jerusalem for the People’s Peace Summit, an alliance of more than 60 peace, reconciliation, and shared society organisations. It was the second recent major gathering of the coalition, and included a speech in support by the head of the Palestinian Authority, President Mahmoud Abbas. Another group of passionate and outspoken young Israelis and Palestinians, dedicted to working together for a peaceful future, recently held a coordinated bicycle event on both sides of a dividing wall, themed “walls will not divide us”.
Talitha is a birth assistant. As I write, an Israeli medical team (of Palestinians and Jews) were fighting to save the lives of a pregnant Jewish woman, the baby, and her husband, who were shot yesterday as they drove to the delivery room. The baby was delivered, but todays report is the mother has died. Hamas posted “the shooting was heroic”.
Here, Israeli peace negotiators Gershon Baskin and Palestinian political leader Samer Sinijlawi, who work together in Israel, have come to Australia for a speaking tour, including events in Sydney (May 28) and Melbourne (May 29), themed “Peace is possible, but only if we build it together”. Perhaps Talitha, who claims she is “an international peacekeeper”, should attend. As should the Greens, whose ‘progressiveness’ slogan should be ‘We hated Israel and Jews before it was cool’
Gayle factor20 May at 10:56 pm
Thankyou Ester for your words of wisdom and compassion. Thankyou also for your bravery in speaking your truth and the truth for many of us in our community who share a desire for safety, for dignity and peace for all in Israel and Palestine.
Gayle factor20 May at 10:47 pm
Thankyou Ester for your words of wisdom and compassion for all human life. Thankyou for your bravery in speaking out your truth and the truth that many of us share in the community who advocate for peace, justice and human rights for all people in Israel and Palestine. Its not easy.
Miriam Feldheim20 May at 10:35 pm
Thank you Esther for articulating so eloquently what many of us are thinking and feeling.
John Casey20 May at 02:50 pm
Thanks for an excellent article. My continuing question is: Can we, do we, how do we, engage with those Pro-Palestinians activists with whom we may share concerns about the actions of the Israeli government, but who currently only see the solution in terms of the destruction/elimination of Israel? Is there a possible common ground and a pathway for dialogue, or are we stuck in opposing positions?
Ian Grinblat20 May at 11:43 am
Sorry to spoil the party.
I am gobsmacked that the author and those readers who have thus far responded believe that Israeli Jews are not connected to ‘Jewish’ values. I am no less astounded that each of you is unable to describe the currrent government of Israel and Rightist or (God forbid) Centre-Right. Why always ‘extreme right’? Israelis retain their right to vote; the military have not staged a coup; and governments in Israel continue to be notoriously unstable.
Furthermore, the panic in this article that inverts the poitions of Israel and Hamas, that begs the question of allowing Gaza to express ‘its will’ as to its future government – it doesn’t happen in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon or Judea and Samaria, so how can you imagine that sanity will gain a foothold in Gaza – was there sanity before October 7?
Yehudit Koadlow20 May at 08:53 am
Such a brilliant measured article.
Esther writes with such clarity & thoughtfulness. Thank-you.
Vicki Israel20 May at 08:24 am
Thank you, Esther, for your excellent well-expressed article. You have put into words how I feel.
Ian Bowie20 May at 07:24 am
To resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict, the world must find some common ground. Obviously, that common ground cannot be found in different interpretations of history, religious or otherwise, of history. Equally obviously, it will not be found in any unilateral actions (such as the Netanyahu government’s declaration of Israel as a Jewish state). If the world cannot agree that the United Nation’s Resolution 181 of 1947 (reaffirmed since) formally created two states, what hope is there? On the basis of that Resolution, I fear that Israel may be losing its license to exist as a state, a terrifying prospect.
Simon Jedwab19 May at 12:56 am
Thanks Esther. Many of us struggle through constant dilemmas about Israel in contrast to the government of Israel. These past months have exasperated this. Where is Israel as a haven for Jews when we rely on the US to negotiate a release of hostages?
Ros Harari19 May at 12:16 am
So many of us in the community are struggling with exactly what you have articulated in this article. We must be able to support the peace builders both Jewish and Palestinian.
Thank you
Tony Heselev18 May at 08:30 pm
The author has eloquently and precisely expressed my thoughts – and I suspect those of many other Jews in Australia and beyond. We must support democracy and human rights in Israel and Gaza. The government’s actions are unconscionable. Netanyahu is the enemy; the people are our friends.
Denise Sadique18 May at 09:25 am
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful reflections & analysis of the dilemmas facing both Israel & the diaspora. Not since the Holocaust, have we faced such vulnerability and challenge. I agree we all have a role to play and opportunities to discuss and debate options are necessary to finding a way forward.
Denise Sadique18 May at 09:17 am
Thank you for your thoughtful analysis and perspective, Esther. We are a people who prides themselves on our ability to reflect and question. You identify both Israel and the diaspora’s current vulnerability with great insight. I agree that we all have a role to play.
Railea18 May at 08:38 am
Such a cogent and heartfelt article, which speaks for many of us. It’s helpful to read how to support the Israel we believe in.
Harold Zwier18 May at 08:36 am
The issue of criticising Israeli policies and actions is difficult. It has ended friendships and split families. But remaining silent isn’t passive.
The dominant concern in the local community has arguably been the rise of antisemitism since 7 October 2023, but of much greater concern to me is the inability of people in our community to have rational conversations about Israel and Palestine. Getting the issue into the public arena, via articles such as this one, seems to me to be very worthwhile. I agree with what you wrote.
Anton Grodeck18 May at 07:53 am
Excellent thoughtful article, articulating what many of us feel.
Harry18 May at 07:51 am
Well said, but do not despair. It’s always darkest before the dawn, and Israeli society will soon rid itself of these reactionary elements and head towards a brighter future.
David Milston18 May at 07:18 am
Well thought and well expressed. Thank you!
John D Cooper15 May at 05:17 pm
Esther Tabak has written what needs to be said here and now. Kol HaCavod!
Shalom & Zei Gzunt, Rabbi JD Cooper