The world needs to know that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption charges and policies do not reflect what Israel is, Labor MK Stav Shaffir says in a new English video she released on social media on Tuesday.
The video features clips of the world media focusing on Netanyahu and the charges.
“From what you hear in the news, things look pretty gloomy,” Shaffir says. “You hear about our corrupt leader and the terrible incitement that he uses against anyone who disagrees with him. What you have not heard out of Israel for quite some time is that there’s another way. Want to hear something even crazier? Most Israelis are not Netanyahu.”
She points out that, for example, more than 72% of Israelis support holding peace negotiations with the Palestinians, even though Israel’s right wing has been in power for most of the past 40 years.
Shaffir says that when it comes to the economy, Israel is one of the most progressive countries in the world, and most of the public is willing to dig into their pocket and pay higher taxes to improve the healthcare system for those who are economically weaker.
Over two-thirds of the public supports gay marriage, and most Israelis support granting equal status to all streams of Judaism, Shaffir notes.
“Israeli democracy is remarkably strong,” she says. “In the face of all the threats and incitement, after a decade of serious corruption, the Israeli police and courts are working, and the most powerful person in the country will be held equal before the law.”
Shaffir boasts about the Beresheet lunar lander; helping desert countries with food and clean water; and innovations such as the disk on key. She mentions Eurovision Song Contest champion Netta Barzilai and Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot and playfully whispers that, while she did not check, she does not believe either votes for Netanyahu.
“Our Israel is a wonderful country, and it will be even better when we get rid of a leadership trying to hold us back from achieving all we can,” she says. “I urge you not to disconnect from us – on the contrary. Let’s work together to move our societies beyond this madness. Israel is a miracle – created by courageous woman and man. Stick with us, as we work to bring about more miracles.”