The precedent-setting removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, after he collaborated with Democrats to temporarily prevent a government shutdown – and has now paid the price – has no effect on Israel.
US History: House Speaker McCarthy Ousted by Republican Party Members
Whatever happens, the Jewish state enjoys bipartisan support in Congress. Especially in the Republican Party, whoever takes his place will stand to our right.
Incitement and hatred as a work plan
But in the same breath, the shocking removal of the chairman has a close connection to us, since both American and Israeli politics have been suffering for several years from long chains of shocks – just like those that decorate the Sukkot with them.
We went through five elections in four years; two exchange governments that collapsed; A prime minister who is put on trial with the doubts of half the people, without an old elite; unfounded political boycotts; And an old elite cutting off the industry on which the country sits.
Chansley (with fur on his head) and other Trump supporters inside the congressional building, Photo: AP
And what about the US? the victory of a very non-"presidential" president against whom the entire elite came out (Trump in 2016); mobilization of the American media – some would say intelligence agencies – to thwart his election and then topple him; his denial of the results of the 2020 election; invasion of Congress by citizens; covering up allegations of corruption against the incumbent President (Biden); five different trials against the same former president; two elderly presidential candidates, who are not the most successful products of American society; And now impeachment from within his own party, that of the Speaker of the House of Representatives – number three in the American hierarchy.
Other democracies – Britain and Germany, for example – have also faced events in recent years that undermine the system itself. Which raises the question, what is their root? What is the common denominator between Ben-Gvir's phenomenal rise and McCarthy's ouster by the right wing of his party? Between Bennett's appointment with six seats as prime minister and the inability of the American apparatus to offer attractive presidential candidates? Between Trump's filling into the basement of the White House in fear of the demonstrators (in May 2020) and blocking Netanyahu's route to Ben Gurion Airport? Between the racist acts of violence in the United States and the explosion of prayers in Tel Aviv on Yom Kippur?
The end forces set the tone
The answer to the questions is the loss of proportions. In other words, even in Israel, in America, and in the West in general, too many have forgotten how easily all the good that the free world offers can disappear.
Instead of concentrating on this main thing, and making do with measured and patient changes, people turn to the extremes – whose criticism is sometimes justified – as if ranting and hatred are a work plan.
Trump supporters storm Capitol Hill, January 2021, Photo: Reuters
Fueling these feelings of rage are social networks, whose power and penetration in the United States and Israel are particularly large. There is a connection between the popularity of X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, among Israeli and American citizens, and the dismantling of the systems that both countries are experiencing.
The networks – which also have a welcome aspect of giving expression to all – are equal and equate to grow, that is, allow fringe elements to take center stage, and even take over.
Here, the government understood that it was necessary to stand up to the agitators in its camp, and cut the legal reform. In contrast, both among the opposition leaders in Israel and in the Republican leadership, it is the end forces from the Internet that set the tone. McCarthy, who himself once surrendered to the network, paid the price this time.
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