I never like to see any one kowtowing to the Americans in public expression of never-dying love (Australian government leaders tend to do it, too), and, yes, it’s the height of hypocrisy for the US to behave as it does and they should bow right out of any attempt to interfere with another nation’s political decisions – although when have they ever done that? you only have to consider South American countries, Vietnam, Iraq, et al.

All that said, you are projecting your own stance on the present Israel crisis onto Herzog and his performance. It’s Netanyahu’s own fault that the Americans don’t want to see him. Frankly, I wonder which leaders of other countries would particularly want his company at this point. Article after article you provide defends the Netanyahu government, using the ‘they were elected’ and democracy in that sense as the reason to support your opinion. Enough is enough. The Coalition government of Israel has been irresponsible in its performance since election, causing unrest and divisiveness to a dangerous level. It’s a patchy coalition, put together simply to get over the line – and that was Netanyahu’s intent, to get over the line, take up the realm as king and exercise his power. No matter the cost. The incompetent thugs he’s put into some positions of power is reprehensible, the damage they’re doing frightening. The fact that he himself should be suspended from office until his court hearings are resolved is another matter of concern. In any other democratic country this would be how it went. The fact we now have small religious parties getting their way in decisions such as no army service for the yeshivah students, and more, is a travesty of justice in itself when one thinks of all the other Israeli citizens both paying for them in taxes and protecting them with their IDF service. Insofar as education is concerned, the religious schools should be forced to offer a broad curriculum that ensures proper general education so that students are both knowledgeable and fitted out for work – this, too, has gone backward as an idea since this Coalition was formed.

With the possible demolition of the justice system disabling the chance people had of having their concerns dealt with through the courts – there’s no Constitution, no Bill of Rights – autocratic government will have its way. And with theocracy gaining more power over how people live, pluralism and tolerance will fall by the way side. It’s a shocking thing to contemplate.

Please give it a rest.