Israeli minister calls on all sides to 'lower flames' ahead of 75th anniversary

The fact that Israel exists is the biggest accomplishment in the nation’s history, Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis told Jewish News in an exclusive interview ahead of Israel’s 75th Independence Day.

“Our existence is the most important thing and it’s not obvious at all. We have struggled for our right to live here among neighbours that don’t want us here. And it’s been like that for more than 75 years by the way,” Akunis said.

Akunis, who spoke to Jewish News at his office on the 15th floor in the heart of Tel Aviv, highlighted the economic and technological powerhouse the city has become as another major accomplishment for Israel.

“But it’s not just Tel Aviv. Jerusalem, the Kibbutzim, moshavim, and cities from the Galilee to the south, are a miracle. Beersheba is a miracle. 75 years ago it was nothing. Now it’s Israel’s cyber capital,” he said.

Akunis first became a member of Knesset for Likud in 2009, but had served as a media advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu when he was first elected prime minister in 1996, and later served as Likud spokesperson.

It’s therefore no surprise that he mentions Menachem Begin, the founder of Likud, as the most remarkable prime minister Israel has ever seen.

“The fact that Begin, who by the way opened the ministry of science and technology, was the first Israeli leader to sign a peace treaty with the biggest Arab enemy, Egypt, was a big breakthrough. But not only that. He loved all Israelis, and he said ‘we are all brothers and one nation.’ That was very important,” Akunis said.

Akunis also mentions Yitzhak Shamir, Netanyahu and Golda Meir as having left a particularly deep mark on Israel. “It’s remarkable that Israel chose its first female prime minister 10 years before the UK did, just to mention an example,” he said.

‘Consensus’

As Israel is celebrating its 75th birthday, the nation is facing the biggest crisis in its history.

And Begin’s famous quote about all Israelis being brothers seems more distant than ever. The government’s controversial judicial reforms have deepened the divisions, with mass protests across the country for 16 weeks in a row.

One of the main challenges to the judicial system is that Israel never passed a constitution, but rather opted for quasi-constitutional Basic Laws which can be amended. The High Court of Justice is therefore the only independent institution that protects human rights.

The main argument among those opposing the government’s reforms is that they remove the court’s ability to protect those rights.

“The Basic Laws were supposed to be the platform for a constitution. But unfortunately there is no consensus about it. I don’t think it’s a bad idea and we must talk about it.

The high tech sector, which Akunis’ ministry is working closely with, has been among the most vocal opponents of the reforms so far, warning that a country without an independent court will scare off foreign investors.

Some have already moved their assets abroad. The Bank of Israel Governor also warned that the reforms will hurt the country’s economy.

Akunis, however, insists that they are wrong: “I told them they are playing with fire. If you say again and again that there is a danger to Israel’s democracy, you will frighten those (investors) abroad. Is having a debate (about the reforms) enough reason for you to move your money abroad?”

The threat of a civil war has been mentioned repeatedly by both President Herzog, the opposition leaders and Prime Minister Netanyahu. “We need to lower the flames immediately. On both sides. It’s very dangerous,” Akunis said.

While President Herzog is currently conducting marathon talks between representatives from the government and opposition parties, the gaps remain wide, and few remain optimistic that a compromise can be reached.

Protestors fear that government will pass the reforms as soon as the talks fail, proving that Netanyahu was just trying to buy time. Akunis, however, doesn’t see this happening.

“The judicial reforms must, in the end, be passed with a huge consensus. It won’t be in any other way. It’s the only way we can continue to live here,” he said.

But some of Akunis’ colleagues, such as Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, have insisted that the reforms be passed if the negotiations at the president’s residence fail.

Peace?

Another challenge facing Israel on its 75th birthday is the unraveling security crisis on its borders. During Passover, intense clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians inside the Al-Aqsa mosque led to Hamas firing rockets from both Gaza and Lebanon.

“They want to test us from time to time,” Akunis said when asked why Hamas decided to launch an unprecedented simultaneous attack on on the borders with Gaza and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, two terror attacks killed a mother and her two daughters in the West Bank and one Italian tourist in Tel Aviv.

While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict haunted both sides for decades, Akunis belongs to the school of thought that believes the Palestinians “never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity,” famously said by Abba Eban, one of Israel’s most famous diplomats.

“Eban said that much before the Israeli offers at Camp David under Ehud Barak and by Ehud Olmert in 2008,” he said.

“The land of Israel is ours. We can offer them (Palestinians) autonomy, a federation, a long term-solution. Do you want a solution? Come to the table. But I will never offer them a state,” Akunis added.

While the Palestinian leadership has become increasingly disintegrated and weak under President Abbas, there is one thing that still unites the Palestinian people, namely wanting a state of their own.

The differences between the Israelis and Palestinians have only grown in recent years, with very little, if any, prospects of a two-state solution.