Weekly Commentary: Division in Israel Overstated
Dr. Aaron Lerner 18 April 2021

It seems that every message I heard from a politician or talking head
marking Israel's Independence Day included a reference to a schism
ostensibly tearing apart our country.

My neighbors on my cul de sac include religious, secular, right and VERY
LEFT, and we get along together just fine.

My son works in a place in which 80% voted for Meretz and beyond, while
there are others who voted for Likud, Yamina and to the right of Yemina and
everyone gets along.

I celebrated Independence Day by, among other things, participating in a
fantastic barbeque (I ate more meat than I usually eat in a month!) with,
again, the entire spectrum of positions and it was a wonderful afternoon.

Israel is very different from the U.S.. Here it is no secret how you voted
or what you think about this or that issue. We say what we think and move
on.

And while there may be some hot heads in social media (including apparently
thousands of Iranians and others masquerading as Israelis in an effort to
tear apart our society) this is not reflected in our day to day
interactions.

This extends to our media.

Left wing Haaretz featured in its magazine section last week an article
about the witch hunts going on in America. The article could have just as
easily appeared, word by word, in the right wing Makor Rishon.

Yes. These days Israel is very different from the U.S. when it comes to
things like this.

I hope it continues to be different.
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