After all is said and done – after the filth, the mudslinging, and the lies that the various parties and campaigners spread about each other, after the repulsion that gripped many people in this particularly ugly election – we have to vote.
For a people that only a few generations ago was battling for its physical survival and dreaming of sovereignty in a Jewish state, staying home and avoiding the privilege and obligation of voting isn't an option. Our forefathers dreamed and fought so we could exist here as an independent state and election our own parliament, our government, and its institutions, and decide for ourselves who will lead us. Once every four years (and often more frequently) the moment arrives, and even if many of us are tired of the pack of lies we've endured for so many days, we must not forgo our privilege and obligation to vote, every person according to their conscience and beliefs.
My own path is one of a dreamer. I dream of seeing the ancient stretches of our homeland in Judea, Samaria, and Binyamin – most of which are currently vacant – populated by a million Jews, and new and old Jerusalem truly united and home to Jewish and Arab residents under Israeli sovereignty that is implemented throughout the city. I see Jewish neighborhoods being built in east Jerusalem, flush against the Judean Desert and Maaleh Adumim.
At the polls, that dream will be facing the elephant in the room that the two leading candidates in this election – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz – barely discussed in the campaign: the Palestinians, and a future Palestinian state. This elephant could come raging into the room on the heels of the election, wrapped up as part of U.S. President Trump's "deal of the century." Trump's true friendship with us will be tested by whether he is able to hear "no."
For me, at least, it's simple: Anyone who ever supported the founding of a Palestinian state, or supports it today or might possibly do so in the future, anyone who pushes off our Jewish dream for the sake of their own Palestinian dream, will not get my vote. We didn't come back to the Land of Israel to fulfill the dreams of others. I prefer the Jewish dream – with all its demographic and defense difficulties – to the Palestinian one, which would not only implement its own desires but also seeks to bring an end to our existence here. I know, that's a very "simplistic" interpretation, but that's how I'm voting. I hope others will vote the same way.
Once every four years we have the privilege of sticking to our dream and thinking less about reality and giving appropriate weight to goals, to vision, to ideas, to prayer, and to the Jews' thousands of years of longing for Jerusalem and the land of Israel – and not only the parts of Israel that lie between Hadera and Gedera. I expect my government and my leaders to give reality the consideration it deserves, but give more weight to the dreams in shaping that reality. They should know how to employ force when needed, while also knowing the limits of force, but above all, should act based on the force of our rights, which are the basis for everything.
Along the way, and directly ahead of us, there are also social and economic issues, questions about corruption, religion, ethical behavior, health, values, equality, morality, democracy, personal example, and many others – which are truly important. Do yourselves a favor and vote on the issues, not the people. Leave aside the candidates' height, faces, analysis of their speech or stammering, and even which windbreaker they wear on camera. Make your decision based on one or two issues that are close to your hearts. Take into account the results they've achieved on their past promises, their experience, their political ability, their integrity and trustworthiness, and how effective they've been. Vote using your mind but feel it in your gut. Remember that nothing is perfect, but there are less bad alternatives. Go out and vote!
