The pandemic and the power

Haaretz's new, revamped Opinions newsletter

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Esther Solomon

As Israel, the Middle East and the world reels from a global pandemic, thoughtful comment and analysis on an unprecedented emergency has even more resonance and value. In that spirit, welcome to the new, revamped Opinions newsletter from Haaretz. Having just returned myself from the UK to self-isolation in Israel, the contrast between government policies and people’s behavior regarding the coronavirus crisis is stark. The UK has chosen a graduated strategy to limit the spread of the virus: everyday life is close to normal. In Israel, led by what is still a caretaker government, Netanyahu chose to take far more draconian, pre-emptive steps. The big question, of course, is which approach will save the most lives. Italy is the ground zero for Europe’s COVID-19 catastrophe. Ariel David explores the dysfunctionalities that led to such widespread contagion and death – and how both America and Israel share many of them. Gaza could be ground zero for the Middle East, if the virus manages to jump the blockade of its borders: Shannon Maree Torrens outlines the possible repercussions.  Anshel Pfeffer describes how the coronavirus may have pushed Israel’s opposition bloc into a moment of moral clarity about the equal rights of Arab citizens. Chemi Shalev points out the extreme divergencies between Netanyahu and Trump’s handling of COVID-19 – “twins no more”– and how Netanyahu is cementing his power as Trump is frittering it away. As America asks what price it will pay for a tardy response to the virus threat, Dante’s words on Italy ring out from the 14th century: “A ship with no captain in a great storm.”  As we wish all our readers good health, we’ll continue to probe, query and call to account how leaders and states manage what is not only a healthcare crisis but a challenge to the health – even survival - of our political systems as well.

Opinion || Italy, the Perfect Petri Dish for a Coronavirus Catastrophe Ariel David | 13.03.2020

Opinion || Coronavirus Is a Death Sentence for Palestinians Caged in Gaza Shannon Maree Torrens | 12.03.2020

Analysis || Twins No More, Trump and Netanyahu Part Ways on Handling Coronavirus Crisis Chemi Shalev | 13.03.2020

Analysis || Israeli Politics in the Time of the Coronavirus: A Moment of Moral Clarity or Cynical Politics Anshel Pfeffer | 13.03.2020

Analysis || An Emergency for Israeli Democracy: Coronavirus Crisis Cannot Chip Away at Checks and Balances Noa Landau | 15.03.2020

Editorial || Politics in the Shadow of Corona Haaretz Editorial | 15.03.2020

Opinion || Threats of an Israeli Civil War Are a Form of Blackmail Zehava Galon | 12.03.2020

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