The Long Short Way

By Michael Fuah, General Director, Manhigut Yehudit

Last week, the Makor Rishon newspaper published an article by Edmond Hassin, the chairman of the Achi faction secretariat. (Achi is a splinter of the National Union party and is headed by Effie Eitam. Eitam has called for the Religious Zionist public to register for his faction). The entire article was devoted to Manhigut Yehudit and Moshe Feiglin. It reminded me of a medical team sent to treat a heart attack victim debating what pain killer to give their patient.

Over a decade ago, Manhigut Yehudit identified the fact that the State of Israel is marching toward an abyss, and that the reason is not international pressure or the personal weakness of a given leader. The problem is the idea that drives the ruling elite in Israel: the vision of a "state of all its citizens."

Manhigut Yehudit is the only movement that offers a practical alternative to this idea and translates it into realistic and achievable goals. Manhigut Yehudit does not seek to influence somebody or work from within the system. It strives to replace the current leadership with G-d fearing leaders that will lead Israel to its Jewish destiny of perfecting the world in the kingdom of the Almighty.

If Moshe Feiglin had wanted to find his own niche in the existing system and influence it, as Mr. Hassin suggests, he could have been a Knesset member and even a minister a long time ago. The third major figure in "Zo Artzeinu," MK Benny Alon, proved that it is possible. The offers made to Feiglin, who was the head of "Zo Artzeinu," were no less attractive than the offers that MK Alon received. Feiglin has fielded many more attractive offers since then, as well. But Manhigut Yehudit and Moshe Feiglin are not interested in playing a fantasy game. We understand that we must take the steering wheel of the train careening toward the abyss and turn it completely around.

The desire expressed by the Achi faction to create yet another sectorial camp - pure and unsullied - is just another attempt by the passengers in the train to arrange a comfortable car for themselves - maybe even close to the engine, where they can shout at the driver or demonstrate against him.

The fear of joining the Likud is understandable. It is the fear of leaving the comfortable "Religious Zionist" pool for the open waters of the Israeli nation. But the Likud is a microcosm of the Nation of Israel. Whoever wants to lead the nation must be willing and able to lead the Likud.

When we founded Manhigut Yehudit, we understood that we were setting out on a long journey. Moshe and I thought it may take as long as twenty five years. With G-d's help, our movement is constantly growing and progressing. The leadership alternative brought into public consciousness by Manhigut Yehudit has now become accepted by all. The constant stream of books and articles by Moshe Feiglin and other Manhigut Yehudit members reflect the dynamism and momentum of the movement. And last year's primaries in the Likud, when Moshe received one quarter of the votes for the Likud top position, clearly prove that the Jewish leadership alternative is gaining popularity fast.

If the vast resources invested in the Achi registration drive would have been invested in a Likud registration drive, we would now be witnessing a political earthquake. It would have meant that Israel's traditionally second class citizens had stopped seeing themselves as such, and were now ready to shoulder the responsibility to lead the nation.

The Achi campaign that was supposed to have ended months ago has not changed anything. Thousands of people registered to elect the heads of Achi, the faction that is still one quarter of the National Union party. No new message and no new inspiring personalities; just another attempt to resurrect the defunct Techiyah party or the new National Union.

Manhigut Yehudit has planted a new dream in reality. Thousands of people now dream that dream. Presently, the only people who can legally and democratically make that dream reality are the Likud members, and they are doing it much more quickly than we initially expected. We call upon Mr. Hassin and his friends to join us.