Zeev Sternhell, author of one of the great books of fascist analysis, 'Neither Right nor Left' has been injured in a pipe bomb attack 'as he stepped out of his front door to close the garden gate in Jerusalem'.
The culprits seem to be Ultra-nationalists, seeking to kill a prominent supporter of the Peace Now movement. Indeed posters around his neighbourhood placed a One million Shekel bounty on such lives of such Activists.
Sternhell is a controversial figure. His historical work, to my wee mind, has some flawed conclusions (such as the exception of the NSDAP from the Fascist genus). Yet, he remains a colossus of historical writing and a critics of one of the most (again, to my mind) grievous self inflicted wound on Israeli society, the settlement movement
His words from his hospital bed: -
"if this act was not committed by a deranged person but by someone who represents a political view, then this is the beginning of the disintegration of democracy."
"The very occurrence of the incident goes to illustrate the fragility of Israeli democracy, and the urgent need to defend it with determination and resolve,"
"if the intent was to terrorize, it has to be very clear that I am not easily intimidated; but the perpetrators tried to hurt not only me, but each and every one of my family members who could have opened the door, and for that there is no absolution and no forgiveness."
It is reassuring that the Government have taken this attack seriously, with both outgoing PM Olmert and the new Kadima leader Tzipi Livni.
However, Itamar Ben-Gvir of the National Jewish Front, a settler group was mealy mouthed, saying "I don't denounce this incident, but say categorically that we are not involved,"
Keep well, Zeev
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