By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D
JERUSALEM — Three main items on our news.
First, security personnel have caught the final two escapees, in Jenin. Apparently with some help from Palestinians via Israel intelligence operatives.
Second, Israel continues to give third booster shots to all those above 12 years of age, despite an FDA vote approving third booster shots to those 65 years and older.
Third, the City of Jerusalem has destroyed a jerry-built Succah in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim.
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The capture of the escapees, more or less peacefully, within the area of the Palestinian Authority, says something about the balance of power, the not quite independent and not quite a State of our Palestinian neighbors, and perhaps the holding power of the border between us and Jordan.
There have been strident assertions of aggression from Hamas in both Gaza and the West Bank. But so what? Tension remains, along with the dominance of Israeli power. Our security forces withdrew from the area of Jenin soon after the capture of the two. We respect Palestinian autonomy, when it’s convenient for us. The conflict is not over. There are those here and there who’ll continue the battle. Most of all at the verbal level. Individuals pay a price from occasional upticks of violence. We won’t try to defeat them. Better to live with the tension, and seek to minimize the cost. And to hear calls for a Palestinian State, from the United States and Europe, but also the assertion from the Bennett government of its opposition to a Palestinian State. Things continue.
Quarrels also about the third booster shot. And about the first shot, for those who do not believe, and are taking what they can from the decision of the FDA. Safety, effectiveness, the authority of the state to compel vaccination.
A mixed message from the Israeli government: From October 1st, there’ll be a requirement for the third booster for those 12 and above for entry to a variety of sites. Along with a continued consideration of giving the booster to those between the ages of 5 and 12.
All this in the presence of indications that young people are not immune. Lots of isolation among school kids, where a teacher or pupil shows up ill.
Are we simply ahead of the FDA, in vaccinating most of those 12 and above? Will the Americans and others gradually come to the Israeli position? Different calls of not enough information for the Americans to decide, but apparently enough for the Israelis. And what about the costs of the many who have avoided any vaccination. Clogged hospitals, mostly from those who have avoided all vaccination. Why treat them?
And what about Biden’s decision that all those working for companies will be vaccinated? Implementation?
The destruction of a Succah in Mea Shearim probably won’t make the international headlines, but it’s important. In part, a reaction against the crowding and collapse on Mt Meron, at the grave of a revered Rabbi, which caused the deaths of more than 40 men and boys. That’s still to be investigated. There has been an appointment of a Government Commission of Inquiry, headed by a retired Chief Justice, and sooner or later, perhaps, to reveal who was responsible for the construction, and allowing it to continue unto those deaths.
Now quarrels over the escape from prison, and whether they’ll be a Commission of Inquiry and perhaps the retirement of key officials.
Several disasters. Desire for firm decisions. But no clear moves to those.
All told, we’re a country of several nations: Secular Jews, Arabs, ultra-Orthodox, Orthodox, Traditional, Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and mixed. Figure out for yourselves the murky borders between them, realizing the need of whoever claims to be in charge to balance the oppositions coming from one nation or another.
It ain’t easy. Loyalties and sensitivities are fluid, and shift. The media and numerous political parties and key individuals compete for attention and something close to, but not quite control.
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Ira Sharkansky, PhD, is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com