Many were exposed this week to a contentious confrontation that took place at the Channel 12 studio between MK Galit Distel-Atbrian and journalist Arie Golan, a confrontation that culminated in Galit disrespecting Golan and the positions she represents, and even calling him a "racist." Journalist Dana Weiss, who infuriated many about the phenomenon of "babysitting" that will be remembered as a violation of statehood, and other claims of this kind.
Needless to say, I agree with every word the MK utters that I cherish, and appreciate and be shocked by the words of Golan and Weiss, but in my opinion this confrontation and this statement are not the important things.
Weiss's opinion is well known, and she often expresses it.
Her right to think what she wants, as long as other opinions are heard on television.
Golan can also think as he pleases.
In my opinion, they both do not understand Galit's claims at all, even though there is nothing more reasoned and eloquent than her in the world.
What is important to me is another part of the same broadcast, during which Galit had an argument with another guest sitting in the studio, former Minister Limor Livnat, who has been one of the Likud leaders for years, and for several years now she has been trying to shake off the Likud and attack Netanyahu.
Livnat, unlike the other members of the Plugata, understands well the allegations made by Galit.
I have known and cherished Limor Livnat for many years. I worked a little at the Ministry of Education near the Minister's Office when she served as a minister. Behind us are also conversations and meetings. For years, for me, the figure of Minister Livnat was the strongest expression of the flawed and wrong way in which the left-wing camp - then the opposition - is conducting its struggle in the Likud. Limor Livnat, a smart and intelligent woman, sharp and sharp, stately and full of splendor, has been consistently portrayed as a belligerent. The media attitude towards her was always abusive and humiliating, while what stood out was always her loudness and her political ambition. Any reference to it was solely as part of a culture, a gang, a clique. Nicknames were affixed to her and imitations were made of her. It was itchy then, and it continues to be itchy to this day. The injustice done to Limor Livnat and other right-wing leaders (led by Begin, of course) has been burned into the minds of millions. He is there, in the belly of a great people. He is even more present in the hearts and minds of semi-political people like me, who know the arena closely.
And if there is one thing that can really upset and discourage is to see Limor Livnat, like the other Likud retirees, Dror gives Netanyahu to her hatred (which I do not at all question whether she is justified or not. Probably not), and acts not only against her beliefs and opinions, but against Her most basic instincts.
If there is anyone in the world who is supposed to understand both the feelings and the political analysis of Galit Distell-Atbrian - a brilliant woman of spirit who turns the ugly mouths of her poor rivals into an ignorant fan and one of the crowd - it is Limor Livnat.
Who like her knows the mechanisms of erasure and exclusion;
Who like her experienced them in the flesh.
The fact that the viewer finds himself contracted in a controversy between these two women, and not in a strong alliance that exists between them, is a cause for great pain and great disappointment.
