The campaign slogan chosen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "A strong leader for a strong people," has become the target of hysterical criticism by the Israeli left. Typical of the attackers is Hebrew University professor Moshe Zimmerman, who wrote in the Jerusalem Post that Israeli political candidates who use terms such as "strong leader" or "strong people" are employing language reminiscent of the Nazis. Zimmerman urged: "One has to be attentive to the 'music', and use political language very carefully."
One may debate whether or not Netanyahu qualifies as a "strong leader," but to suggest that such a phrase is reminiscent of the Nazis is absurd.
The prospect of a strong leader is understandably frightening to the Israeli left, which has in recent years elevated the idea of weakness to the level of strategic policy. Many on the Israeli left seem to long for a weak leader, one who will unilaterally surrender Israel's territory, for the left is convinced that such surrender will earn the approval of the international community.
The real irony, however, is that while Professor Zimmerman bemoans Netanyahu's choice of language, Zimmerman himself has a record of using Holocaust-related language in a most offensive manner. The Jerusalem Post reported on April 30, 1995, that Zimmerman declared: "The [Jewish] children of Hebron are just like Hitler youth."
Jewish strength is not a Nazi idea; it is a Jewish concept. The Jews of Hebron are not Hitler youth; they are brave pioneers following in the footsteps of 100 years of Zionist settlement and development of the Land of Israel. Moshe Zimmerman's vile rhetoric deserves the Jewish public's contempt.
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Outpost - 12 - March 1999