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Dear stan,  Even though Gaza is still reeling from Israel’s last assault and Israel is now beating up and arresting journalists and activists who are trying to spotlight Israel’s continued efforts to assert Jewish domination in the east Jerusalem neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, you really wouldn’t know about it if your source of information about these things is the mainstream media in the U.S. As long as “Hamas rockets” aren’t falling on Israel, the crimes and humiliations Palestinians endure on a daily basis don’t get a whole lot of attention.  What is big news, however, is that the liberal Zionists’ favorite bogeyman, Benjamin Netanyahu, might be on his way out as Israel’s longest ruling head of government. This is good news for liberal and some not-so-liberal Zionistsbecause it buys Israel time; assuming the coalition deal goes through there will be a honeymoon period during which there will be a wait and see attitude vis-à-vis the new government and how it relates to both the U.S. and the Palestinians. The problem is that this potential government, like Israeli society at large, is thoroughly right wing. The childish notion that all that is wrong with Israel will be swept aside once “Bibi” exits the stage is about to be tested and certain people should brace themselves for significant emotional shock. Fairy tales are fairy tales for a reason. Israel is also entering a transition period for its head of state as Isaac Herzog was elected Israel’s next president by the (outgoing?) Knesset. For those of you who don’t know, Herzog is a career politician who has a mediocre resume, which is notable given the fact that he comes from one of Israel’s royal political families. He also has some interesting ideas about American Jews who are critical of Israel. At least on that front he fits in to the political zeitgeist quite well. Israel’s chickens are coming home to roost, and attitudes are changing. The old narrative is changing in real time. Let’s have the big argument, if Herzog is one of the best Israel has to offer then there is no way we won’t win. Thanks for reading, Scott Roth