Democratia!
- Leon Orbach
- Apr 14, 2023
- 4 min read
On Sunday the 9th of April Leon Orbach spoke at the Save Israeli Democracy Rally in Melbourne. He spoke on behalf of Meretz Australia in support of these important protests being coordinated by unXeptable, a globally active grassroots movement of Israelis and Diaspora Jews concerned about the reforms being pushed by the current Netanyahu Government. We invite you to join us at these rallies as we fight together for a more just Israel and a renewal of its democratic principles. To get involved, search for unXeptable on social media and find your nearest chapter.
I’d like to begin today by acknowledging the Bunurong peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we hold this protest, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.
Shalom, Chag Pesach Sameach. My name is Leon Orbach.
Israel’s Declaration of Independence is a beautiful inspirational, aspirational document that was meant to be the basis of a Constitution that would enshrine the human rights of all the inhabitants of Israel.
At its core lies 1 paragraph which articulates principles of: freedom, justice, peace and compete equality of social and political rights.
This Netanyahu Government is seeking to trash each and every one of those aspirational principles outlined in the Declaration.
What is it that unites us, what brings us here to show our support for the 500,000 Israelis that have taken to the streets to protest? Like the ½ million Israelis, we too are fearful that Israel’s democratic nature is in danger of being destroyed.
This Government’s so-called Judicial Reform is a farce, a smoke screen to transform Israel into an undemocratic, theocratic dictatorship. Using the fiction that 1 person 1 vote is all that it takes to be called a democracy, this coalition plans to dismantle Israel’s pluralistic democracy nurtured over nearly 75 years.
The Israeli political system has 1 and only 1 brake on the abuse of power – that is the independence of the Supreme Court.
Chip away at the independence of the Supreme Court, put no curbs on Government powers and the house of democracy crumbles.
And while we are at it, the elephant in the room is the cancer on Israeli society called Occupation. Occupation, with its unjust, two-tier system of justice, has created a sense of entitlement, a sense of superiority and a lack of empathy. It is rotting away at the core of Israeli society and its stink has finally emerged and resulted in a Government that wants the unfettered ability to do anything, to crush anyone, to deny human rights. It is a blot on us all and is in direct contravention to the sentence in Israel’s Declaration of Independence which says
“... [the State of Israel] will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel …”
So let me ask again. Why do we care? We, who are far away on the other side of the world. We, who are unthreatened by hostile neighbours, living a comfortable 1st world existence. Why do we care? Why do I care?
As a bogger of Habonim, a kibbutz member, a parent of Hashomernikim, a member of Meretz Australia and as a Jew in the Golah - I care.
The Zionist dream has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. That dream has been about the establishment of a Jewish homeland, a nation amongst nations, a place that is a shining example of freedom and social justice.
Now I, we, live in Australia. The miracle of the last 75 years has created bonds between Israel and the Golah. There is a mutual interdependence that has been nurtured and has grown and strengthened. Israel’s joys are our joys. Threats to Israel are threats to us, the strength and achievements of Jews in the Golah are a source of pride to Israelis. Israel knows (or knew) that when push came to shove it could rely on the Golah to have its back.
In a few short months, this Government has put all that at risk, like a ship leaving the harbour and tearing the streamers linking those on shore to the passengers. That ship is sailing into uncharted, dangerous waters. Half the passengers are fearful, angry and on the verge of mutiny and those left on the shore are fearful that the precious cargo of Israeli Democracy will go down with the ship and leave them bereft and alone.
So, what happens to Israel happens to me. If Israel is praised, I bask in that glow. If Israel becomes a pariah, I too am branded and looked on with suspicion and disdain. My shield, the Magen David, would be broken and useless.
So I am here, every week, standing shoulder to shoulder with my brothers and sisters in Israel, letting them know they are not alone in their fight for democracy.
No going back. No compromise. No destruction of Israeli society. No erosion of the bonds with the Jewish world. No Theocracy. No reform.
Democratia! Democratia!
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