Opinion Where where where is the Oda? | Israel today

Tens of thousands of people took a day off and went to Jerusalem.

A vibrant democracy.

The demonstrators received pampering coverage, many interviews, the reinforcement of public transportation and also a great leniency for blocking the roads.

The impressive presence of the following can leave the impression that these demonstrations belong to everyone, perhaps even that it is a popular demonstration.

One of the main headlines with which the protesters take to the streets is the anxiety for equality in the country and the protection of minorities.

The opponents of the legal reform fear that it will result in the trampling of their rights.

But if you look carefully, you see that this is not really a popular protest.

Not everyone is invited to the party of the opponents of the reform.

Who wasn't invited, for example?

On Monday, the opposition held a press conference, where the heads of the parties gathered and spoke out of a desire to present a united front.

Gantz, Lapid, Michaeli and Lieberman were there.

And who didn't come?

Those who were not invited.

Ayman Odeh, chairman of the joint list. Odeh resented being left out.

In an interview with Radio 103, he said: "We were not invited even though we have a firm position against this government...against the judicial coup."

Odeh also explained why they closed the door on him: "Because Yair Lapid wants to be seen as a center, not a leftist."

Odeh reminded the protesters and the opposition in the name of what they are fighting for, and what such a struggle requires: the struggle is for democracy, and therefore the demonstrators themselves must be democrats.

The chairman of RAM, Mansur Abbas, was also not present at the event.

He agreed on this in advance with Lapid, and in closed conversations explained that this was in order not to give fuel to the coalition.

Is this a good enough reason to be excluded from a democratic group that warns us against fascism?

The Arabs are not present en masse in the demonstrations that ostensibly seek to protect them, and they are not the only minority that is absent.

The ultra-orthodox are not there either.

Apparently they should have been the first to arrive.

They know how to unite and demonstrate.

A huge Haredi demonstration took place exactly 24 years ago.

It had a quarter of a million people, but it rebelled against the rulings of the High Court. You will not see the ultra-orthodox protesting against the reform. Their representatives sit in the government, and they are the pushers of the plan.

The ultra-Orthodox minority feels that the High Court's intervention today and that the attitude of the entire judicial system, regarding its demands for equality, its prohibition of segregation, are hurting it. So here is another minority that is out of the game.

And what about the lower socio-economic strata?

Where are they in all these demonstrations?

After all, this is clearly a group in a society that needs equal opportunities, protection of health and housing rights, and social leadership.

These layers, apparently, could not take a day off.

Because contractor workers or dormitory helpers cannot afford to miss a day of work.

People from the lower socio-economic strata are not free to engage in politics and government matters - they are busy with their daily existence.

But it's not only that.

After all, these are layers that know how to go out and demonstrate about what is important to them.

An intelligent public, that life has taught it a thing or two, more than any academy in the world can teach.

And yet - you won't find them either in Kaplan or the Bhima Square, not in the crowds.

why?

Because for them the High Court of Justice is not the protector of minorities, but a distant, condescending institution that belongs to an alienated elite. They will hardly find among the judges of the High Court a figure who represents them.

Over the years the High Court did not help them. It did not help them get fair housing or high level health services. And when the lives of the residents of South Tel Aviv became hell because of the infiltrators, the High Court preferred those who entered Israel illegally over their safety, security and protection of the citizens of Israel.

Within the demonstration for the preservation of minority rights, you will not find many such minorities.

Who will you find?

A large, privileged and protected public.

One that the High Court protects and upholds its values. It's time to say honestly: reforming the judicial system will make minorities in Israel feel more protected by their Supreme Court.

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