Chronicle poll results: Benjamin Netanyahu
We asked our readers if Benjamin Netanyahu is the right leader for Israel at this time. Here's what they said.
Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an online poll the following question: “Is Benjamin Netanyahu the right leader for Israel at this time?” Of the 411 people who responded, 75% said no and 25% said yes. Comments were submitted by 134 people. A few follow.
Netanyahu is destroying the state of Israel internally and externally. He is attempting to dismantle democracy in Israel and empowering racist bigots. Externally he has done immeasurable damage to Israel’s standing in the world. Hopefully he can be voted out soon, but it will take a very long time to repair the damage he’s done.
I believe the security of Israel is of the utmost importance and he is not afraid to take action.
Certainly without intending to do so — or perhaps without giving it any thought — he and his even further right-wing coalition are giving ammunition and oxygen to antisemites everywhere. Israel will not achieve true and lasting security this way, and Jews throughout the rest of the world will be and are imperiled by his actions.
Israel needs a new generation of leaders. Bibi is thinking and living in the past.
He is a beacon of strength for Israel.
In forming a coalition with the far right, Netanyahu has put Israel on the path to becoming a pariah state. It has been deeply painful to watch.
Netanyahu is not the problem. Iran, Hezbollah, PIJ, Hamas, PA, antisemites, anti-Zionists and their supporters and enablers are the problem. Netanyahu has been a solid, decent leader on the whole, arguably the best option, guiding the country during an extremely difficult and divisive time.
Right-wingers like him always bring death and destruction. Israel has the opportunity to be “a light unto the nations,” but that’s impossible with a right-winger in charge.
He is committed to safety of Israelis and is actually getting something done. No other leader has been willing to do
this.
A self-interested, corrupt autocrat is never the right leader for a democracy. Not in Israel, nor here in the U.S.
Netanyahu is Israel’s Trump — also corrupt and egotistical, but smarter and with a better command of the English
language.
I cannot decide. It’s up to the people of Israel to decide. PJC
comments