Q&A: The Kaplan Protest
The Kaplan Protest
Question
In several places you wrote that the Kaplan protest shot itself in the head, or became more extreme in its messaging against the government or against Netanyahu, and therefore lost you and many others. I couldn’t find even a partial breakdown of those extreme actions you were referring to. What typical examples illustrate your claim against them?
Answer
Countless examples. If you don’t see it on your own, there’s no point in talking. The wild and baseless smears against the government in every area, such as claiming the war is being continued for no reason. Presenting the reform as a national disaster that is destroying democracy, with no basis whatsoever. Exploiting the hostages for their political needs. Every bit of nonsense gets turned into catastrophe and destruction. I’m in ongoing conversation with several people from Brothers in Arms, and I tell them this all the time. They managed to create public alienation toward the hostages.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t see any point in the discussion. I’m done.
I wasn’t trying to start a debate, only to understand the basis of what you said so I could examine it myself. Why don’t you see any point in that?
Because I answered what I had to say. I don’t see any point in continuing.
It’s important for me to emphasize that I’m trying to understand what you mean. In your words, you mentioned “wild and baseless smears against the government, such as continuing the war for no reason.” In searching online, I did not find such a claim among the protest movements in Kaplan.
As an example, on the website of “Kaplan Force” the central message reads: “The greatest fiasco in Israel’s history, with more than 1,400 murdered, 246 Israelis kidnapped to Gaza, hundreds of thousands of Israelis evacuated from their homes and still with no horizon for returning, we have lost the north, we have lost the south, the conscription law that is breaking records in being out of touch, security at an unprecedented low, and now—they are also destroying the economy and relations with the U.S. and Biden. Enough! Put an end to the government of destruction!”
From my reading of your site, I even get the impression that you yourself identify with these messages. Therefore I would be very grateful if you could explain what your claim about the smears, etc., is based on.
It is evident that you are evading the need to substantiate your claims. The bare minimum required of someone like you, who pretends to be rational and to conduct a fact-based discussion, is to present the basis for your sweeping assertions.
I agree with the questioner.
It kind of feels to me like it’s becoming clear that Rabbi Michi is also human, and that he too is apparently influenced by his social identity.
In my opinion he crossed the Rubicon on issues of religion and state, but not on the issue of right and left.
On the issue of right and left, he is still wearing the old lenses.
He dismisses experts in the field and is probably fed by a handful of experts on the right who are blind to the constraints of economics, society, foreign relations, manpower, and in general the limits of power.
They think we are marching toward total victory, and if and when we don’t get there they will of course blame the whole world and his wife.
They also almost completely ignore the decision-making processes, which barely exist in the current leadership.
I’m very interested in what media outlets Rabbi Michi relies on and from which he shapes his opinion on the security issue and on a hostage deal.
I’ve felt this way for a while already, but now the new column Rabbi Michi wrote about there being no experts on security issues feels really conspiratorial to me.
It makes me a little sad, because I respect Rabbi Michi very much.
My condolences.
Thank you for the answer, but I’d appreciate it if you could present specific examples of the cases you’re referring to. For example, which particular statements or actions on the part of the Kaplan protest activists (those that reflect an overall mindset among them) do you think created the alienation you mentioned?