Momentous times for U.S. and Obama should make Israelis burn with envy

An America that marches forward, that welcomes change, that grows more tolerant, that can take pride in itself and its leader.

By Chemi Shalev | Jun. 27, 2015 | 8:29 PM |

To paraphrase John Reed’s famous book on the Bolshevik Revolution, these were Ten Days That Shook America. Ten days of social progress. Ten days of moral advance. Ten days of national awakening. Ten days of presidential leadership. Ten days that should leave many Israelis, of the liberal persuasion at least, raging with jealousy.

Jealousy of an America that marches forwards, that welcomes change, that grows more tolerant, that accepts diversity, that seeks to extend equality to all. Ask yourself, in all honesty, if these are the defining trends of Israel in 2015 or, in fact, quite the opposite.

Jealousy of an America in which the machinery of democracy grinds steadily, methodically, reliably, even in an age of unprecedented political polarization. In which the separation of powers is immutable and checks and balances are more than an empty slogan. In which a 230 year old document is resilient enough to safeguard individual liberties and robust enough to accommodate change. In which a solidly conservative Supreme Court is bold enough to defy expectations, free of incessant threats to curtail its powers.

Jealousy of an America in which religion is a private option rather than a dictator of public policy. In which the government – the current government at least - is inclusive, not exclusive. In which freedoms are extolled, not derided. In which elections are won by those who embrace Americans of all stripes and colors rather than those who divide and rule, where voters are swayed by a message of hope and change rather than adherence to the status quo and “Arabs are coming in droves” incitement. In which the younger generation is less prejudiced and more broadminded than its elders, less insular and more charitable, blinder to differences of race, color or creed.

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