Midweek update REasonableness

25thJuly, 2023 Mid-weekupdatehttp://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/reasonableness-standard-mid-week-update/  It’sbeen a long time since I wrote a mid-week update but since one should neverrely upon the international media for reports on what is happening here inIsrael, since they always have an ulterior motive, in fact I don’t rely uponany media reports except the ones with reporters on the spot. Actually eventhat isn’t always accurate because in one “on the spot reports” from thedemonstrations, as the reporter came on camera I heard a “Now” in thebackground and everyone started with noisemakers and flag waving……….. so, letme try to be rational, fair and true to myself and explain the last months,weeks and last night in as few words as possible. If emotions run into theexplanation I will not apologise because, I am in a state of confused emotions. Letme start with something most people do not know, about a wise lady called Dorothy de Rothschild, whose familydonated the money to build both the Jerusalem Knesset and later the exquisiteSupreme Court building. She made only one deeply symbolic demand.....that theSupreme Court building be slightly higher than the Knesset, because the law mustalways supersede the vagaries of politics. The planned, new, PrimeMinister’s Office will also be, symbolically, lower than the Supreme Courtbuilding Today is the morning after the vote in the Knesset. Ican't pretend that I am not terribly disappointed in members of a party thatonce upon a time was great, a party founded on the principles that built thisgreat democracy. However, this is still a thriving democracy with elements ofwhich we should be very proud. I am concerned that the shekel nose-divedagainst the dollar but equally know that despite the protests of even the mostsenior IDF soldiers, should the call come they will fight to protect us. The demonstrations which began with a relatively smallnumber of concerned people and grew and grew into a nationwide movement as peoplejoined in, like the walk from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem which began with a fewhundred and grew along the way to many thousands. In 99% of cases thedemonstrations are quiet, civil and orderly but of course the young get veryemotional and sometimes angry and on occasion do things that are best leftundone. One of the saddest sights last night was watching formerChief of the Israeli Navy, Yoav Gallant, currently Minister of Defence, going toeach of the major players of this contentious law, trying to persuade them tohold back, present the law another day in a different form, but withoutsuccess. Despite his efforts he still voted with the government as did all of theLikud party. That over, what is the Reasonableness Standard and whatare its implications. I think we all understand the basics, by dint of its veryname, the Reasonableness Standard, and I knew that it would seriously cut theability of the Supreme Court to censure the Knesset, that’s very clear, but Ilooked for a simple explanation and found it, strangely enough in an articlefrom 2019, during Mr. Netanyahu’s last term of office. I had no idea it was onthe cards so long ago. This is from the Israel Democracy Institute.  https://en.idi.org.il/articles/27020  The demonstrations will continue and my heart goes out tothe young policemen and women who no matter what they feel, whatever theirpolitical alliances, have to keep the rule of law, keep the traffic moving andcontrol the demonstrations - unfortunately receiving little financialcompensation. There are several claims lodged to the Supreme Courtdeclaring the new law illegal, the first from the Movement for Quality ofGovernment led by Eliad Shrager…. watch this space. I'msitting having my breakfast outside on the veranda looking around me enjoyingthe few minutes before the heat falls upon us. Like Israelis, reading thenewspaper filled me with trepidation, concerned for the frightening split insociety.. And then it happened. Aboutsix little tiny birds, their black feathers iridescent in the sun, came tovisit. They aren't hummingbirds, despite their ability to hover, their wingsflapping at a phenomenal rate, they're called Sunbirds and they drink nectar fromthe base of flowers rather than long tongues as the hummingbird. They are quitespectacular and have a wonderful little chirp. As they went from hibiscus tohibiscus from tree to tree the happy song ringing out in the morning, I beganto realise that there's so much hope in the world!  Perhaps we should learnfrom them that there is another way, one doesn’t have to drink from the top ofthe flower but rather from the base. Last night while having dinner I discoveredthat an old friend was related to David Ben-Gurion! Ben Gurion’s name originalname was Grin before it was Hebraicised. Adv. Yair Green is a direct relativeof the great man whose strength and determination are legendary. David BenGurion, a true leader, went against the Knesset majority, understood his placein history and declared the State of Israel! Yes,it is the day after the night before and yes, I'm very disappointed but I stillhave hope that this amazing country will come out of it changed and maybe better,for the fact that we're together. So many people came together, including youngpeople who care so deeply for this country that they are willing to give up onnights on the town to join nights on the street in what became a fight for ourlegal system. Iwish you a good day. I promise you that no matter what , we still live in themost amazing little country in the world.  -- If the media does not inform us we must inform the mediaMy Website http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/Facebook      Sheila Silver Raviv Involvement   http://www.impact-se.org/