Putting Words in Bibi’s Mouth

TIGHTROPE WALKER Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is like a taut rope being pulled from both ends in the wake of threats from his coalition partners and powerful American Jewish interests who both demand access to the Kosel on their own terms

I n the wake of threats that powerful American Jews might pull their political and financial support from Israel unless pending laws pertaining to access to the Kosel and conversion to Judaism are amended a delegation from AIPAC landed in Israel to hold urgent consultations with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

We don’t know exactly what Bibi told his visitors but the following is what he could have said to them and others who see themselves as stakeholders had he cast diplomacy to the winds:

“Let’s talk about the Kosel first ” Netanyahu might have begun. “I and many members of my cabinet underestimated the uncompromising devotion of Orthodox Jewish Israelis to the Kosel. They come every day and night rain or shine. Some of these people have made a one-time commitment to pray at the Kosel for 40 consecutive days because they are facing a significant challenge in their lives. To me it makes more sense to listen to their cries than to those of a small group of women who come to the Kosel once a month put on a show for 40 minutes and disrupt everyone.