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<\/p>\nLast week, Senator Joe Lieberman died at 82. Despite decades in politics, he remained a man of honor \u2013 embodying integrity, patriotism, and courage. Today, Israel needs Likud elders emulating Lieberman willing to risk their government Volvos \u2013 which each can afford independently \u2013 to save Israel from Benjamin Netanyahu.<\/p>\n
In 1998, when Bill Clinton behaved abominably, then polarized America denying Monica Lewinsky\u2019s truths, Joe Lieberman broke ranks. He challenged Clinton\u2019s infidelity and dishonesty in a Senate speech. \u201cIt was a very hard thing for me to do,\u201d Lieberman recalled, \u201cbecause I liked him.\u201d But Lieberman understood that \u201cif I didn\u2019t say something, I\u2019d be a hypocrite. I also felt that if somebody who was supportive of him didn\u2019t say something, it would not be good\u201d \u2013 for America.<\/p>\n
This mild-mannered senator risked political suicide. Clinton and the Democrats crushed any doubters, demonizing them as puritanical zealots. But Lieberman was ready to sacrifice his career \u2013 for the nation.<\/p>\n
He passed the mirror test.<\/p>\n
We all must wake up every morning, look in the mirror, and like what we see. Few want to sell their souls to an evil cause, a misguided mission, or \u2013 Likudniks arise! \u2013 a flailing, failing leader.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, Clinton\u2019s chief of staff Erskin Bowles told Lieberman his speech \u201cburst the boil,\u201d Democrats started thinking subtly and patriotically, not monolithically; as leaders, not partisan hacks. Eventually, Clinton called to say, Lieberman recalled, \u201cthat there\u2019s nothing you said in that speech that I don\u2019t agree with. And I want you to know that I\u2019m working on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2000, the Democratic nominee, Al Gore, selected Lieberman as his running mate, honoring Lieberman\u2019s bravery. When they lost following a controversial Supreme Court decision, both patriots accepted the result, for the nation\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n
Lieberman was always that rarity, a mensch in politics. It reflected his Judaism, Americanism, and liberalism. But being 56 when he defied Clinton probably helped. He had already made it. He knew who he was. He still had ambitions \u2013 and unexpected triumphs ahead. But he had reached that life stage when doing right becomes more important than clawing ahead.<\/p>\n
Judaism Values elders as \u201cthe community\u2019s eyes.\u201d They see that it\u2019s not worth living long if you can\u2019t live right. But elders must give voice to their wisdom, speaking uncomfortable truths when the nation needs it.<\/p>\n
Israel faces a multifront war, international hatred, and domestic unrest, from a vicious hyper-partisanship, Left and Right, to mass draft evasion by haredim amid a soldier shortage. Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s massive, ever-growing, credibility deficit magnifies each crisis.<\/p>\n
The turnaround is stunning \u2013 justifying term limits. Mr. Security became Mr. Insecurity. The backroom dealmaker can\u2019t even close easy deals with haredi parties to at least start guarding their own. This leader who worships Churchill has been un-Churchillian, dismissive, divisive, defensive \u2013 and offensive. He offers no public leadership \u2013 no constructive vision, meaningful updates, or effective rallying cries. And the master diplomat, the silver-tongued strategist who boasted about charming Americans, American Jews, and the world, now repels them.<\/p>\n
Israelis confuse the world: most support Netanyahu\u2019s call for a Rafah invasion, but won\u2019t criticize those hostage families demanding an immediate deal. That same supermajority wants Bibi gone, the protests to end, and the hostage families to demonstrate abroad, not at home.<\/p>\n
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with Joe Lieberman. Photo by GPO<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n I wince whenever thoughtful Israelis claim Bibi is dithering militarily to avoid elections. Even if untrue \u2013 as I hope \u2013 one wise friend observes that the claim\u2019s popularity proves the intensity of the mistrust.<\/p>\n I fear wartime elections or protests. Instead, Netanyahu should specify a future election date and retirement date. Even better, he should resign, designating a less polarizing Likudnik who could fight the war equally aggressively without antagonizing so many here and abroad.<\/p>\n Five Likud elders must break the impasse with a Joe Lieberman leap. All 60-plus, they had legendary achievements before they entered politics. Each can look in the mirror, proud of the good lives they\u2019ve made for themselves and our nation. Each must take responsibility to help send Bibi home and start a national reset \u2013 even during this fraught period.<\/p>\n Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, 65, has taken baby steps \u2013 defying Netanyahu during the judicial reform while insisting that more haredim serve.<\/p>\n The others have betrayed us with their silence. Where is former Jerusalem mayor and hi-tech pioneer Nir Barkat, 64, who\u2019s been repeatedly humiliated by Netanyahu? What\u2019s he waiting for? Where is Avi Dichter, 71, a brave former Shin Bet director, who devoted his life to Israel\u2019s security? Where is the former Prisoner of Zion, and one of my heroes, Yuli Edelstein, 65? Having defied the Soviet Union and KGB, does he really want to be remembered as being cowed by Bibi? And what about Shalom Danino, 68, an air force veteran and real estate mogul, whose brother Yitzhak, Ofakim\u2019s mayor, can detail how much his neighbors suffered on October 7 from Bibi\u2019s failures.<\/p>\n I take no joy in joining the pile-on against our prime minister \u2013 especially during wartime. I wish we could defer this leadership change to peacetime. And I regret targeting the Likudniks I most admire. But this is their moment. Our need for their courage grows daily.<\/p>\n I was lucky enough, by chance, to have an email exchange with Lieberman the day before he died. It ended with me hailing \u201cyour well-deserved reputation for integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n I wish our leaders long life, and I hope that, in the far future, one of the last emails they get honors their timely Liebermanesque courage.<\/p>\n