It was a brief but – truly – touching moment, captured in a video clip that was filmed at Jerusalem’s Yitzhak Nevon train station on Sunday night. It quickly went viral, and many of those who shared it quoted the line from the national anthem “Ode lo avada tikavatenu” (Our hope is not lost yet).
Clips showed protesters crowding the long escalators at the station. which were massive Anti-reform demonstrations in Jerusalem They were getting off at platforms leading away from the capital, and those returning from a huge pro-reform rally in Tel Aviv were climbing on their way back.
Both sides carried blue and white flags and chanted slogans in the rhythm of the “Seven Nation Army”: “Demokratia oh Mered” (Democracy or Revolt) on the opposing judicial side versus “Shishim ve-Arba’ah Mendatim” (Sixty-four Knesset seats) on the second set of escalators.
There were more kipot and other signs of religious observance among reform supporters and more T-shirts bearing slogans from anti-government groups worn by opponents of the overhaul. But the two groups resembled each other in many ways, including their passion and concern for the country.
Suddenly, as the two sides headed in different directions, something beautiful happened: people began reaching across the divider and shaking hands with those passing by on opposite escalators. It was a recognition that no matter what political path they followed, there was still a need for respect and recognition of what we all share.
It shouldn’t have been such a wonderful sight. After all, people with different political and religious views interact every day. But under the circumstances, it seemed close to a miracle. While political pundits and other observers were warning the country heading for civil warHere the protesters from both the camps were participating in a simple gesture of friendship and brotherhood.
Monday was a painful day for many Israelis, as the government passed a bill to severely curtail the court’s ability to apply the reasonableness standard amid anguished cries and fierce protests from its opponents – the first part of its controversial judicial reform.
Still, Israelis must find a way forward: to step back, take a deep breath, and appreciate what we have and may lose; And remember that no matter what happens, we are responsible for how we respond to events.
For nearly 30 weeks, hundreds of thousands of people gather every Saturday night to exercise their democratic right to protest against the government and warn against subverting the judiciary. At the same time, those who voted for the government and want to see it implement its policy agenda fear that their democratic rights will be trampled, their majority ignored, and an overly powerful court left unchecked.
Clip of protesters at Yitzhak Nevon
Naveon station, my opponents get down, my supporters get on. watch what happens in the middle pic.twitter.com/7AqeStZmFR
— Haim Rivlin (@LifeRivlin) 23 July 2023
The danger of political rift is huge. the country is being torn apart – and our enemies are enjoying the show And waiting for an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
It’s one thing to raise war cries at demonstrations; Civil War screams are something else entirely – and nobody wants to go there. There is a lot of middle way which is being forgotten even by those who identify the center.
Ironically, there is no arguing that the judicial system needs change; Opposition leaders themselves have said that there are some imbalances which need to be corrected. It should be possible to reach an agreement.
The time has come for both sides to stop the rhetoric and fear-mongering, reach out to each other and remember what we have in common: a shared history and a shared future.
Democracy hasn’t died, and Israel isn’t going to die. Monday was a difficult and painful day for the country, but while it has been divisive, it need not be a sign of things to come.
If political leaders themselves may not be able to do so, it is up to ordinary citizens to take responsibility for their own response. Each of us can choose to continue yelling at each other, or to reach across the divide, shake hands, and walk the path forward.