Why Film A Jewish Response to Obama?

By Moshe Feiglin

Is Obama really listening to Moshe Feiglin? Not likely. However, when the truth is clearly stated and a wide audience in Israel and throughout the world sees and hears it, a new reality is created.

We know that the most senior politicians in the Likud follow every word that Manhigut Yehudit publicizes. We know that the more that our views are heard and viewed by more and more people, the more influence we have on the heads of the ruling party. And a new consciousness is a new reality!

Can Netanyahu do more than he is already doing? Apparently not. From within the existing consciousness, Netanyahu is negotiating the diplomatic tightrope most impressively. But the resolve that he displayed when he faced Obama is intrinsically bound up with the balance of power that Manhigut Yehudit created within the Likud. Unlike previous face-offs with the White House, the PM's office released a critical reaction immediately following Obama's speech, consciously creating a crisis with the US. We have never witnessed a similar display of determination and conviction from an Israeli PM and we praise Netanyahu for it, with hope that it is not a passing phenomenon.

While Netanyahu is doing a good job within the existing consciousness, my speech was designed to create a new consciousness. The claim that we cannot retreat from the 1967 borders because they are indefensible, the recognition of the sovereignty of another people in Israel's heartland and most of all, the inability to understand and integrate Jewish destiny in this Land - leave no chance to win the game that all of Israel's modern leaders have played.

Until the Six Day War of miracles, our existence was legitimized by the world by 'merit' of our suffering and the memory of the Holocaust. After the Six Day War, however, the existential questions began to surface. The new generation in Europe does not feel responsible for what previous generations did and as far as they are concerned, Israel is continuing the Nazi legacy while the 'Palestinians' have inherited the victim status.

For its part, Israel does not understand the change and continues to attempt to deal with the existential questions by using the 'afflicted' tactics. As far as the world is concerned, however, if the Jews are in Israel for no reason other than to defend themselves, wouldn't they be better off in a place where they are not threatened, like Uganda, for instance?

My video-speech illuminates Israel's relations with its neighbors, the relations between the nations in the Middle East and the world and the relations between the US and Israel on a completely different plane. It makes no mention of necessity, but does emphasize our right and obligation in this Land - in its entirety. It gives a much more logical analysis of what is really happening in the Arab states, shows the direction developments are likely to take and gives a real understanding of the new reality that is currently endangering the entire world. The speech gives real hope to all seekers of liberty throughout the world and of course, for the well-being of Israel.

From within the current reality, we do not have better answers than the existing leadership. But this consciousness will necessarily lead to a dead end. From there, it will be just a short way to the new, faith-based consciousness. It is at that crucial intersection that Manhigut Yehudit must be waiting to lead Israel into the new reality. No other leadership will be able to do it.