As parties gear up for the election in autumn – or possibly sooner, in the unlikely event our government chooses not to give way to its extremist elements – the definition of what makes a good leader becomes of paramount significance.
At a time when Israel faces unprecedented international isolation – together with a rise in global antisemitism – Israel requires a leader who recognizes the country’s priorities above all else. We speak of Israel and worldwide antisemitism as one because the two are inseparable.
When thousands march in London (and too many other capitals) carrying placards stating “From the river to the sea Palestine shall be free,” we fully understand its meaning – namely, that Israel, home to the largest number of Jews in the world, must be eliminated.
Should it be a prerequisite for an Israeli prime minister to speak English fluently? Criticism in this regard was leveled at one potential candidate whose English is not as fluent as that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yet if we look at past prime ministers, none spoke English at Netanyahu’s level, yet, nevertheless, they served our country well.
Leadership shaped by conviction, not reputation
What is the key to successful leadership? Could motivation be the driving force?
Recently, I participated in an interesting event spotlighting the life of Yitzhak Shamir, Israel’s seventh prime minister. The evening was organized by ESRA Netanya’s dynamic chairwoman, Barbara Kliner, who invited Shamir’s son, Yair Shamir, to speak about his father.
Initially, I had mixed feelings about an evening dedicated to Shamir. My reaction came from the misconception, projected consistently by UK governments, that Yitzhak Shamir was a terrorist.
However, following the lecture given by his son, a former pilot in the Israel Air Force who, in 2013, was elected to the Knesset and went on to become agriculture minister in 2015, I came away with a picture of a leader who was prepared to give his life for the rebirth of the Jewish state.
Where did Yitzhak Shamir’s motivation derive from?
Psychologically, it is recognized that our early life experience plays a major role in contributing toward who we are today. In other words, much of our motivation as adults can be attributed to our past.
Yitzhak Shamir was born in 1915 in Ruzhany, Poland; his school years were spent at the Bialystok Hebrew Gymnasium. At the age of 14 he became an active member of the Betar movement.
In 1935, after studying at the University of Warsaw, he left Poland for Mandatory Palestine. Two years later, he joined the Irgun, resigning in 1940 to join Lehi (Lohamei Herut Israel, which translates into “Fighters for the Freedom of Israel.” It was also known as the Stern Group, after its founder, Avraham Stern, who was killed by the British in 1942). Lehi opposed the mainstream Zionist policy of restraint toward the British Mandatory administration.
Shamir was arrested twice by the British during and following World War II – escaping both times – finally being given asylum in France. He returned to Palestine in 1948, resuming leadership of Lehi until it disbanded on the establishment of the State of Israel.
The question remains as to why Shamir was prepared to sacrifice himself in his efforts toward ensuring a Jewish state would come into being. What motivated him?
One does not have to look further than his family background – the loss of his entire immediate family during the Holocaust. His mother, Peria, was murdered in a concentration camp; Miriam, his sister, suffered the same fate, while another sister, Rivka, was shot dead by the Germans, together with her husband and children.
His father, Shlomo, after escaping from a death transport train, returned to his hometown of Ruzhany, where he was killed by his former neighbors and friends.
For Shamir, the loss of his parents and sisters must have contributed to his determination to ensure Israel would be reborn.
The unanswered question he may well have asked himself is whether a considerable number of the six million Holocaust victims might have found refuge in the Jewish state had it existed then.
What history has shown is that when 32 countries sat around a table in Evian, France, in 1938 discussing how many were prepared to take in Jews – when it was still possible for them to escape – with the exception of the Dominican Republic no country was prepared to offer sanctuary to one Jew.
Our current leaders could learn much from Shamir, under whose premiership Operation Solomon took place in May 1991, bringing 15,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel within 36 hours, in a covert operation. In addition between 400,000 and 500,000 Jews from the former Soviet Union arrived in Israel while Shamir was prime minister.
He was modest and understated, with a core philosophy centered on Jewish unity and national security.
Enemies take advantage when Israel is divided
History has shown that when we are divided, we are vulnerable. We need only look back to October 7, 2023, to recognize how easy it was for our enemies to attack us at a time of deep division within our nation.
Unfortunately, the division remains today, with the government – caving in to the will of its fanatic element – continuing to provide exemption from IDF service to some 66,000 haredim of enlistment age.
Shamir’s concept of unity showed itself in his willingness to share the position of prime minister with Labor’s Shimon Peres in the 1980s. While one was prime minister, the other served as foreign minister.
Does this ring a bell? It should, as we recall Yair Lapid coming together with Naftali Bennett to form a government in June 2021. While Lapid’s party – Yesh Atid – had 17 mandates and Bennett’s Yamina only seven, Lapid had no hesitation in acceding to Bennett’s request to become prime minister initially. Here was a politician prepared to give up the opportunity of being prime minister first, in exchange for bringing together their two parties.
Today we see repetition of the same format, with Bennett’s party coming together with Lapid’s Yesh Atid for the forthcoming election. The joint party is named – very appropriately – Together. It is to be regretted that more parties – which think like Bennett and Lapid – have not, as yet, joined forces.
When we enter the election cubicle – whenever – we must ask ourselves what is the motivation of the man likely to become the prime minister. Is he concerned primarily with the well-being of Israel and its population, or is he more concerned with sticking to his seat?
Inscribed on the walls of ANU – Museum of the Jewish People (formerly known as the Diaspora Museum) is a quote attributed to a survivor of a World War II German concentration camp: “Remember the past, live the present, trust the future.”
Remembering the past gives us a deep appreciation of the present. We should remind ourselves – each and every day – how privileged we are to be living in the State of Israel, and how fortunate are our brothers and sister in the Diaspora that a Jewish state exists.
With regard to the future, let us hope for a strong, properly motivated leadership to ensure a strong, secure tomorrow for our beloved country.
Am Yisrael Hai.
The writer is president of Israel, Britain and the Commonwealth Association and has chaired public affairs organizations in Israel and the UK.