Time to speak up
WITH frightening speed Public Security and Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan is becoming the Israeli heir to notorious US Senator Joseph McCarthy.
On Tuesday, Haaretz reported Erdan is trying to establish a database on Israelis who are involved in or support the BDS movement. Having launched an intelligence division in his ministry tasked with collecting information on foreigners active in the movement to boycott Israel, Erdan now seeks to expand his ministry’s espionage and monitoring to Israeli citizens. Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit and Deputy Attorney General Avi Licht have already voiced opposition, stating the ministry has no legal authority to gather intelligence and maintain a database on Israeli citizens.
But Erdan forges ahead regardless. Rather than learn lessons from his ministerial failures, the worst his shameful incitement in the Umm al-Hiran incident, Erdan continues to pursue his war against all he deems opponents. It is beyond belief the minister in charge of law enforcement not only engages in incitement, but seeks to act illegally.
Databases on political activists have always been a hallmark of the darkest regimes. With his actions, Erdan is aspiring to have this sort of regime in Israel. Ever since he declared war on BDS, the minister has been ready to stoop to any means to advance his battle. So it comes as no surprise that Erdan now wants to extend his war to critics within Israel.
Opposition to the Israeli occupation, whether it comes from inside Israel or from abroad, is legitimate, just and moral, and anyone with a conscience can take part in it. Moreover, the types of tactics in question – nonviolent boycotts and sanctions – are legitimate, given the illegal status of the settlements. Therefore, even those who do not agree with everything that is said as part of the fight against the occupation ought to speak out against the government’s efforts, led by Erdan, to muzzle its critics, and the undemocratic measures to which it is resorting.
When Erdan’s draconian measures were directed against foreigners, the Israeli public kept quiet. Now that he wants to direct them against Israeli citizens too, it is time to speak up.