Oh, the chairwoman bites (or rather, attempts to). On Saturday, at the DISY party, she showed her teeth.
Addressing AKEL, she said: “They must first attempt to rid themselves of their stereotypical and dogmatic remnants… Not to hide behind their fingers! They must be able to unequivocally condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They must be able to recognise that the Putin regime should be held accountable for Navalny’s death. They should realise that the explosion in the Middle East was reignited by the barbaric terrorist attack of Hamas on October 7, and yes, there are victims on both sides, and we must condemn the atrocities, no matter where they come from.”
Again: “And yes, there are victims on both sides, and we must condemn the atrocities, no matter where they come from.”
Very well, Madam President, until the others grasp what you are telling them, put into practice what you preach, if you understand it and didn’t just read it mechanically: “We must condemn the atrocities, no matter where they come from.”
So, we expect you, Madam President, and your party to unequivocally condemn Israel and its government for its own atrocities. Those that were “triggered” by October 7, even though many others, of Israeli origin, preceded October 7. They don’t get a pass. You unequivocally condemned Hamas’s atrocities, and rightly so. Even from the parliament’s podium. But not Israel’s. Neither as DISY nor as Parliament, except for AKEL, which had proposed a fairer condemnation resolution.
You called, Madam President, for others “to recognise that the Putin regime should be held accountable for Navalny’s death.” To be held accountable. Shouldn’t the other regime, next to us, be held accountable for the annihilation not of one person but of a people? Thousands of children?
You said: “We have been through a lot lately.” Don’t exaggerate. You simply lost power at the central office, and others, like you, took over. Flesh of your flesh, many of them. You lost power and with it the adhesive that held your mishmash together. You lost it temporarily. Don’t panic. Not much has changed. The rulers haven’t essentially changed. Just some names. The right-wing won in these elections too. That’s you. Communicate among yourselves and manage productively the majority you enjoy in the country.
We are indeed glad that the keys ended up with you and not with your predecessors. So, open the doors that are in front of you and beside you.
P.S. “You cannot expect from us, the new leadership, to carry on our backs the sins and burdens of anyone!” Understandable, Madam President. On the other hand, what do you think filled the room on Saturday? The sins and burdens of some. You ask—beg—for the unity of the DISY world so as not to lose the lead in June. Well, unity is a package that, yes, will weigh heavily on the election scale. But the package will also include the sins and burdens. You will step on the package joyfully, but after the celebrations, you will have to lift it on your shoulders again. With the same sins and burdens.
