Israel

Bibi zig-zag watch

As some of our commenters predicted, and after his vow that there would never be a Palestinian state while he was prime minister helped him siphon off enough votes from other rightwing parties to remain in office, Netanyahu now says:

“I don’t want a one-state solution. I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution. But for that, circumstances have to change.”

Welcome back to reality, Bibi. Gee, I’d hate to think you were being cynical.

And an observation about those on the Israeli Left who are freaking out over Netanyahu’s victory. I’m unpleasantly reminded of the reaction by some liberals and Democrats to George W. Bush’s reelection in 2004 and the reaction of some conservatives and Republicans to Barack Obama’s reelection in 2012.

Whenever supporters of one political party or ideology resort to wallowing in moral superiority over the supposedly stupid, bigoted and/or lazy masses who didn’t vote their way, they are setting themselves up for failure after failure.

I’m reminded of my favorite bit of political advice, to union organizers in the 1930s:

“It’s not their fault for not understanding. It’s your fault for not explaining it clearly enough.”