Shana Wride hits her stride in ‘Private Lives’

 

Jessica John, Manny Fernandes, Shana Wride and Sean Murray photo by Daren Scott

By Carol Davis

Carol Davis

SAN DIEGO— Cygnet Theatre in Old Town has done it again. After a successful run of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeny Todd they are off and running with Noel Coward’s Comedy of Manners, Private Lives. What makes this madcap comedy so amazingly engaging is the terrific five (Annie Hinton comes in as the maid Louise in the third act) person cast starring artistic director Sean Murray (with an assist by Francis Gercke), Shana Wride, Jessica John and Manny Fernandes.

Wride, who so deservedly won a Brava on opening night and is making her Cygnet debut, has been on leave from San Diego stages for too many years. I so remember her in productions, before she took her hiatus, in  Suds, Women Who Steal and Six Women With Brain Death just to name a few.

She is now back in full swing catching her stride being the sharp, witty, strong willed, outrageously honest, glamorously coiffed  (thanks to Shirley Pierson’s gorgeous and fitting period pieces) and self assured Amanda Prynne in Coward’s delightful (the play opened to critical success in 1930) Private Lives.

In Coward’s sit-com, he pits two very conceited, self centered, know it all’s; to hell with convention high brows against each other in what turns out to be the perfect comedy both physically and mentally for this theatre company.

Had Amanda and her ex, Elyot Chase (Murray), thought at all about their past love/hate relationship when their paths caught up with them again one fateful evening they might not have wanted to try for a second go around. In fact both were now unhappily married to new spouses who are the complete opposites of the old and still they have a cynical edge about their marital status.

As Coward would have it, when the two conveniently (Well?) meet up again five years after their divorce (to their dismay, horror and excitement) sparks begin to fly as they find themselves sharing a terrace at a very posh seaside resort in the South of France overlooking the harbor (Matt Lescault-Wood’s sound design). We learn right off the bat with a great intro from each of the characters why they are there, what they are about and last but not least, that the new younger spouses, Sibyl (Jessica John) and Victor (Manny Fernandes) are no matches for the experienced world travelers.

What happens next, sets up the bizarre follies that follow and that’s the fun of Private Lives. Like the little engines that could Amanda and Elyot, realizing the errors of their ways (well at least one of them) on that fateful evening, decide that they in fact don’t want to be married to their ‘new spouses’ any more or rather, still. (A., “In love all over again, are we”? E., “No…We’re not all over in love again, and you know it”.)

As fast as a sip from a cocktail glass and a renewed embrace, off they run to Amanda’s apartment in Paris leaving the clueless, bright eyed/ bushy tailed Sibyl and straight as an arrow Victor in the lurch, but remembering to send them a ‘nice’ note to let them know where they can be found. It’s all so wonderfully scrumptious!

Coward wrote the play after he got sick with influenza while on an Asian tour. Convalescing in Shanghai, he spent two weeks ‘sketching out Private Lives three acts’ and actually finishing the project in four days. When he returned to London and began directing the production, he cast himself in as Elyot Chase. Gertrude Lawrence played Amanda and Lawrence Olivier was Victor.

The first Broadway production opened at The Times Square Theatre in 1931 with Coward, Lawrence and Olivier reprising their roles. What a spectacle that would have been to see.

Not to be outdone though, Murray and his excellent cast have another tongue wagging success on their hands as this stylish show with no holds barred action plows through convention, conviction almost to slapstick action with precise planning. Disregarding conventional wisdom, Coward’s characters Amanda and Elyot live their lives as they please throwing caution to the wind defying the times, the pretentiousness of modern manners and showing the hypocrisy of the upper classes ‘outside world’.  Their ‘inside world’ is the stuff of their private lives and it is fraught with danger and excitement.

The morning after they flee the hotel they are as lovebirds in Amanda’s apartment. It is this setting, beautifully decorated with every accoutrement you might find in an upper crust villa (Andrew Huff with appointments by Bonnie L. Durban with perfect lighting accents by Eric Lotze) complete with two chaise lounges, couch, piano, view of the Eiffel Tower and enough pillows to have a great pillow fight and then some, the two seem to have found love again.

But soon after playing nice to each other the accusations, cutting barbs, hurtful banter, a slug or two of brandy and nasty arguing (did I say arguing?) and almost physically hurting one another they find a middle ground to cut it off by shouting “sollokcs” a combination of the words Solomon Isaacs. However, their on again/off again bickering, reminiscing, bickering and cuddling goes on until the apartment is in ruins (from their fighting) and Sibyl and Victor show up to claim their prizes.

What makes this challenging setup so right for Cygnet’s cast is the outstanding cast itself. Murray plays Elyot Chase with an assurance reserved for someone who knows just what he’s doing and both he and Elyot fit the bill. I can’t say enough about Wride except she’s made for the part. Her nonchalant aloofness and absolute understatements, exquisite upper crust behavior and self-confidence put her on a par with Murray’s Elyot, making her his perfect opposition candidate. Their timing is superb making every move a dance step without looking choreographed (Colleen Kollar Smith) and every sharp-tongued rebuff, natural to a tee.

Jessica John’s Sibyl, the ‘new Mrs. Chase’ is pert, clueless, oh! so feminine and shallow. She looks like a kewpie doll all dressed up with no place to go or anyone to go with. Off she does go, though with the jilted Victor to find what the HAY is going on. She is another perfect match as Amanda’s opposite.

Fernandes for his part is strong willed with a no prisoners taken attitude. His cold and stiff-necked, up-tight posture is in sharp contrast to Murray’s relaxed and world experienced Elyot.  Fernandes, who struggled with his accent in the first act finds his compass later on and does a great job as Amanda’s protector and do -gooder. All four paint a portrait worth talking about but not particularly worth knowing.

A must see, if you love good theatre.

See you at the theatre.
Dates: May 27th –July 3rd
Organization: Cygnet Theatre Company
Phone: 619-337-1526
Production Type: Comedy of Manners
Where: 4040 Twiggs St. San Diego, California, 92110
Ticket Prices: $17.00-$42.00
Web: cygnettheatre.com
Venue: Old Town Theatre

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Theatre critic Davis is based in San Diego

San Diego’s historic places: Flying Leatherneck Museum

 

 

Avenger aircraft at Flying Leatherneck Museum

By Donald H. Harrison

Donald H. Harrison

MIRAMAR MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, California—There are two ways to visit a museum. You can browse the entire collection, getting a little knowledge about a lot of things. Or you can focus on a single exhibit, say, for example, a World War II carrier-based aircraft known as the Avenger.

Grumman Aircraft manufactured models that could drop a torpedo or a 2,000-pound bomb on the enemy.

Dick Miller, a retired lieutenant colonel who had gone through the enlisted and officer ranks during his 29-year career, actually had served as a radio operator aboard an Avenger, and was willing to share some of the plane’s lore with a visitor. Miller, today the volunteer coordinator at the Flying Leatherneck Museum, said the planes were still being used in the Korean War when he began in the service.

Miller pointed out that it was an Avenger that President George H.W. Bush—father of the current U.S. President—flew and crashed in the ocean during World War II operations in the Pacific Ocean.

“This was the first aircraft built that could carry a full torpedo in the belly of an aircraft; no other aircraft could do it,” Miller said.

It’s main mission was anti-submarine, but it was occasionally used against carriers and other surface ships. “It would just come in low and drop its torpedo and take out a ship,” Miller said. Then it would return to its own carrier and perhaps load on another torpedo for another run.

Sometimes, Miller said, a camera was substituted for the machine gun in the lower rear position to aid Avenger in its search for submarines.

“If they got a message from a ship that they were picking up something (enemy submarine activity) on the sonar, they would go over the surface of the water and they would be able to see the shadow of the submarine” even without sonar or other special tracking devices. “Many times I used to be able to fly off the coast of Florida and we would be able to see big sea turtles and manta rays out there all the time.”

The Avenger was 40 feet long, with a span of 54 feet 2 inches. It was 16 feet, 5 inches high requiring crew members to get a toe hold on the lower fuselage, then swing themselves onto the wing from which they could climb inside.

Avenger could fly at a maximum speed of 270 miles per hour, and climb at 1,425 feet per minute. Fully loaded it weighted 17,327 pounds, but without its crew and munitions it weighted only 10,534 pounds.

The Flying Leatherneck Museum is located in a bungalow building off Miramar Road. It is filled with posters, uniforms, and other Marine Corps memorabilia including some captured from enemy pilots. Avenger is parked in the back of the museum, amid some 30 other aircraft, each no doubt prompting memories of missions and personnel. The aircaft models bear such nicknames as “Corsair,” “Chickasaw,” “Seahorse,” “Huey,” “Sea Stallion,” “Cobra,” “Retriever,” “Sea Knight,” “Mitchell,” “Intruder,” “Bronco,” “Fagot,” “Hornet,” “Phantom,” “Skyhawk,” “Crusader,” “Cougar,” “Fury,” Skynight,” “Banshee” and “Texan.”

There is no charge for admission to the museum, but there is a large see-through container near the front-door where contributions are piling up to encourage the planned construction of a more modern and permanent museum expected to be built on an eight-acre parcel adjacent to the present site.

Susan Hathaway, the museum’s public affairs officer, said instead of in a bungalow the museum would be located in a 98,000-square- foot facility which would be opened May 22, 2012, a date marking the 100th anniversary of pioneer pilot A.A. Cunningham’s first flight from Annapolis in a Marine Corps craft.

“There are a lot of artifacts we don’t have here because it is too small,” Hathaway commented. Additionally, “the Retriever (a Pieseki HUP-2 H-25) doesn’t have its blades because they are wood and they wouldn’t hold up to the salt air.” Once the permanent building is completed, that helicopter and another which had wooden blades can be moved inside and the blades can be remounted.”

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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World.  This article appeared previously on Examiner.com

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, May 28, 1954, Part 4

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 6

Tifereth Israel Sisterhood installation ceremonies and brunch will take place June 1 at 12:00 noon in the Tifereth Israel Center.  A wonderful program, “Color Through the Years,” has been planned, with Mrs. Victor Weiss in charge. Ann Schloss is circle captain.

The following officers and board members have been elected for next year: Pres., Mrs. Harry Wax; Ways and Means Vice-Pres., Mrs. Louis Feller;  Cultural Vice-Pres., Mrs. Arthur Gardner; Membership Vice-Pres, Mrs. Ben Gordon; Program Vice Pres., Mrs. Daniel Orlansky; Rec. Sec., Mrs. Paul Belkin; Corr. Sec., Ross Ann Feldstein; Fin. Sec., Mrs. Sam Lennett; Treas., Mrs. Edward Baranov; and auditor, Mrs. Sarah Bystrom.  New Board members are: Mrs. Lewis Solomon, Marie Richards, Molly Prager, Mrs. Frank Pomeranz, Mrs. Joseph Kader, Lillian Berwin, Mrs. Joe Spatz, and Mrs. G. Winicki.

Rabbi Monroe Levens will be installing officer.  Please make your  reservations early so that we may plan accordingly.  Call Jean Schreibman, Atwater 4-3351; Sarah Krasnow, Juniper 2-2583, or Rosalie Sonnabaum, Atwater 2-0173.

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Council Women Hold Installation June 2
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 7

The National Council of Jewish Women, San Diego Section, will hold its annual installation luncheon on Wednesday, June 2, 12:00 noon at Town and Country off Mission Valley Freeway.

The theme “Council Cinemascope” will depict the organization’s accomplishments during the past year.  The room will be decorated as a motion picture theatre with screen, lights and cameras.  The program will be highlighted by the appearance of Loretta Jewell, popular actress and San Diego personality.  She will give intimate glimpses of Hollywood and stories of the stars.

Installations will be conducted by Dr. William J. Rust, President of California Western University.  Guests of honor include Mr. Edgar Brown of the Community Welfare Council; Mr. Al Hutler, United Jewish Fund.  Members of the press will also attend. Chairman of this affair is Mrs. Irving Alexander assisted by Mrs. Milton Effron, Mrs. Morris Sims, Mrs. Marvin Jacobs, Mrs. Joseph Kwint, Mrs. David Jaffe, Mrs. Milton Fredman, Mrs. Robert Speigel, Mrs. Robert Drexler and Mrs. Morton Kantor.

All persons desiring transportation contact phone chairman: AT 4-1609; AGT 1-0120, JU 2-4933.

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Personals

Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 7

Welcome Home – Rose and Lee Greenbaum changed their South American cruise plans in mid-ocean and sailed only as far as Buenos Aires.  Having had enough of the open sea by that time, they changed transportation methods and flew the rest of their holiday time visiting Santiago, Chile, Lima, Peru; Panama and Florida.

After their return to San Diego, Rose and Leo had as their houseguests last week, Ida and Dan Polesky, former San Diegans, now of Los Angeles.

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Returns Home – After a wonderful month long visit with her family in Denver, Mrs. Sam Tepper has returned home.

Bride Honored – Mrs. Ben Halpern and Mrs. Paul Vereshagin were hostesses at a bridal shower honoring Esther Weitzman on May 8^th at the Beth Jacob Center.  Forty guests attended.  Miss Weitzman will wed Andrew Segal on July 11.

Student Awards—Daniel Schaffer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Schaffer, has received a four-year scholarship to Harvard University.  Daniel will be graduated from Kearny High School next month and upon completing his 4-year course at Harvard expects to study law. 

A scholarship to the University of California at Berkeley was awarded to Judy Yukon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Yukon.  Judy is a member of Ecivres, the honor organization at Hoover High School and will graduate this June.

Visitors—Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kaplan of Norfolk, Va., have been visiting children, Dr. and MRs. Robert Kaplan (Joan Steinman) of Los Angeles. Chances are that the main attraction for them is grandson, Matthew. The Kaplans, en masse, visited in San Diego with the Louis Steinmans for a week prior to the Steinman’s departure for a month long trip.  Julia and Lou will see relatives in Tucson and St. Louis and will attend the graduation of their niece from Stephens College… (rest of article torn in archive copy}

Mrs. David Levy an her brothers, Judge Jacob Weinberger and Maurice Weinberger, are leaving Saturday to viit their sisters and brothers in Denver for a few weeks.

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Anniversaries Noted – Among the many “happy marrieds” celebrating the occasion in various ways this week are the George Matins, the Bob Gordons and the Carl Esenoffs.

We’re glad to note that Mrs. Ida Lipinsky is back home again after her sudden illness and hospitalization in Los Angeles.

Mrs. Esther Solov and daughter wish to thank their many friends for their kindnesses during their recent bereavement.

Birthday Party – Frank Berman was toasted at a birthday party in his honor given by Mrs. Berman on his 69^th birthday on Sunday, May 16.  Guests were children, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Berman, MR. and Mrs. Sidney Berman, and grandchildren, Elaine, Sandy and Jeff.  Out-of-town guests were Mrs. Krupp and Mary and Jack Rose of Los Angeles.

Honored – Dr. Benjamin B. Faguet, well known psychiatrist, will represent the American Psychiatric Association at the International Conference of Psychotherapy in Zurich, Switzerland this summer.  He has accepted the appointment of Professor of Medical Psychology at the new University of San Diego.

Visitors Daughters—Mrs. Anna Peckarsky left this week for her annual summer sojourn in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.   {Rest of article missing in archive copy.}

Z.B.T. Mothers Club – The Mother’s Club of Zeta Beta Tau, Jewish National Fraternity at State College is having its Second Annual Card Party on Saturday, June 12th at 8 p.m. in the Beth Israel Temple Center. Donation $1.00.  An additional attraction will be entertainment by members of the fraternity. Refreshments will be served.

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Pi Alpha Lambda At State College
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 7

The Mother’s Club of Pi Alpha Lambda Sorority will hold a luncheon and card party Thursday, June 3, at noon at the home of Mrs. Fred Leeds, 4273 Ridgeway Drive. The proceeds will go toward the obtaining of a sorority house near San Diego State College.

Classified
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 7

Woman will share modern cozy apartment with working woman. Everything is furnished.  Near bus lines 1 and 2.  AT-1-2102, AT-1-7869.

Driving to N.Y. about June 20.  New. Chev. Will take 1 or 2 riders to share driving and exp.  JU-2-6429 after 5:30 p.m.

Room for Rent.  Nice home, ½ block to El Cajon and 50^th bus. Call before noon or after 6:00 p.m. after June 1l1, AT-4-6586.

Sholom Mausoleum Dedicated Sunday
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 8

On May 30, the entire community is cordially invited by Tifereth Israel Synagogue and Greenwood Memorial Park to be present at the official dedication of the Sholom Mausoleum.

Rabbi Monroe Levens and Cantor Joseph Cysner will officiate at the Service, which will include a memorial for our departed ones lying at rest in Sholom; as well as a dedication of a memorial plaque, in memory of the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Second World War.

Outstanding features of Sholom are its Jewish motifs and designs incorporating rich symbolism in an atmosphere of beauty and dignity.

Sholom Mausoleum is not merely a corridor in a general mausoleum open to the general public. It is a completely separate building erected exclusively for Jewish use.

The ready acceptance of Sholom Mausoleum by the Jewish community is evidenced by the fact that it will soon be completely reserved, and plans for another addition, doubling its present capacity, are under way.

Tifereth Israel Synagogue has been designated by Greenwood Memorial Park to be in full charge of the operation, planning, design and all matters pertaining to Sholom Mausoleum.

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Beth Jacob News
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 8

Temple Beth Israel will usher in the Shavuoth Holidays with Consecration Services Friday evening, June 4, at 8:00 p[.m.  Members of the Confirmation Class will participate in the Sabbath Services. Alan Friedman and Sandra Byrock will do the Kiddush. A class barbecue lunch will be held at the home of Alan Friedman on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and a class party including dinner, dancing and swimming will take place at the home of Preston Martin, Saturday afternoon and evening.

Confirmation Services will take place on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. for the 11 members in the Confirmation class.  Rabbi Morton J. Cohn will be honored at the Friday evening services for his 20 years of service to the rabbinate. Hosts and hostesses for the Oneg Shabbat will be board members and their wives.

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Beth Jacob Set for ‘Golden Nugget’ Nite
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 8

Plans are nearing completion for the Beth Jacob Men’s Club “Golden Nugget” Nite, Sunday, June 13, at 6 p.m. in the Center, according to Dave Schissel and Julius Penn, co-chairmen.

Never before has so much been offered at an event never to be forgotten. Besides the drawing for the 5-day Las Vegas all expense vacation for two, including free air transportation, there will be a bond as a door prize.  Winner of the trip need not be present and tickets for it are available from any club member.

The finest honest-to-goodness Jewish meal, with all the dishes your mother used to make, will be available for only $1.50 per person, including all you can eat. 

There will also be other prizes including electrical appliances, home furnishings, etc., plus all kinds of games and diversions, bingo, and many other attractions to help spend an enjoyable profitable evening.  As a special feature, for all who are present, there will be lucky draws every 30 minutes.

There will be plenty to eat, plenty to drink , and plenty to do. Get up a party for this tremendous affair, the proceeds of which will go towards reducing the building loan.  Mark the date, June 13, and keep it open for the best time of your life!

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Beth Jacob News
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 8

Shavuoth services of Beth Jacob Congregation this year will be as follows:

Sunday, June 6 – 7:00 p.m.; Monday, June 7—9:00 a.m.; Tuesay, June 8—9:00 a.m.  Yizkor will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8.

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The Beth Jacob Religious School will hold its closing exercises on Sun., June 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the center. Classes will participate in appropriate prayers and a short program.

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“Adventures in Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our indexed “Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” series will be a regular feature until we run out of history.

 

 

 

Sha’ar Hanegev social workers win national award for excellence

AWARD WINNING SOCIAL WORKERS-- Top row, from left are Batia Amram, Iris Fridman, Marva Meizeles, Orly Banay-Lender, Oded Ettinger, Hannah Tal and Dor Meyhuas. Bottom row: Hofit Dekel, Patricia Sadovsky, Tehilo Revivo, Avital Nir, and Tammy Goren.

By Ulla Hadar

Ulla Hadar

TEL AVIV -On the 8th of June during the nationwide conference of social workers from all over Israel, the national organization conferred the “Henrietta Szold 2010 Award of Excellence” on the Sha’ar Hanegev municipality social service workers, headed by Marva Meizeles.

The committee’s citation said  “This team has in the last years worked daily showing to everyone a shining example, how to work and at the same time cope during situations of stress and emergency. To other social workers their acts are a model to copy. They represent our trade and bring great pride to everyone working in the profession aiding people in the community.”

For the last ten years this team has acted in war situations and in an environment filled with stress and threatening situations.
  
The team has throughout the years  developed new strategies and founded creative projects in order to support and help the citizens of the area. Today they are a role model for other social workers in Israel. Other municipalities and organizations have adopted ideas from the Sha’ar Hanegev social service department, mostly the ones dealing with how to cope with terror both on the personal and communal levels.

Most social workers working in the Sha’ar Hanegev municipality live and raise their families in the kibbutzim  neighboring the Gaza Strip. They experience the same dangers as the people that they counsel.

These social workers are committed supporters of the community’s local leadership, and help to preserve the local and social pride of this area.

Five of the current team– Hannah Tal, Oded Ettinger, Orly Banay-Lender Marva Meizelez and Avital Nir —  participated in the San Diego UJF Professional Exchange In 2006. While visiting San Diego, they met many San Diego social workers, observing their work first hand.

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Hadar is Sha’ar Hanegev bureau chief for San Diego Jewish World

Poll shows Israelis support Gaza blockade

By Ira Sharkansky

Ira Sharkansky

JERUSALEM–Of Israel’s major newspapers, Ha’aretz is the least friendly to the present government. It is also the most likely to criticize the lack of empathy for Palestinian interests that it finds among officials and the population. 

The journalist who wrote a long article in the weekend edition could have been referring to colleagues when he described how the local media “threw fire and brimstone on the national leadership” in connection with the interdiction of the flotilla to Gaza. The same sentence repeated what several previous editions of the paper had emphasized, that “the world turned its back to us.”

The article was short of a mea culpa, but reported a survey commissioned by the paper, and conducted by a reputable organization. 

It showed a large majority (59% against 25%) feeling that the blockade of Gaza was more useful than harmful, and a similar percentage giving high marks to the national leadership as a result of the interdiction: 57%, as opposed to 37%. A higher percentage of the respondents indicated that they would vote Likud if there was an election now than actually voted Likud in the most recent election (33% against 27%). The combined vote of the left of center parties, Labor and Meretz, would  decline to 13%, compared to 16% in the most recent election..

Respondents took a strong stand against the Arab Knesset Member who sailed with the flotilla, and was outspoken against the interdiction. Thirty-eight percent would revoke her citizenship and 34 % would remove some of her privileges as a Knesset Member. Only 11% would not punish her.

The author of the article was not happy with the results. He wrote in his opening paragraph, “. . . more such flotillas, more Turkish bodies floating on the sea, and Netanyahu’s popularity will reach the level of his predecessor’s during the the second Lebanon war.” Then he was more hopeful about what might happen to Netanyahu. “But that did not last long. Olmert’s fall was quick and painful.”

One can exaggerate the importance of a survey, or the weight of a journalist who editorializes while writing a news story. The material in the article reinforces one’s view of Ha’aretz as the country’s best newspaper, read by the economic, political, and intellectual elites, but having to be filtered for a marked tilt to the left. It is no surprise that Ha’aretz put the story about the poll it commissioned in an inner section of the paper, rather on the front page where it has featured criticism of the blockade of Gaza and the operation against the flotilla. 

The poll results ought to penetrate the awareness of Israelis and outsiders who are singing the songs of Israel stupid and evil.

There is not a population in another western democracy with the Israelis’ experience of serving in the military, and being exposed to a constant flow of news and commentary about national security and how the country is viewed by others. In the case of the current survey, skeptics can say that support for national leaders generally increases during a crisis, no matter whether the leadership handles the crisis well or poorly. No doubt that most soldiers have a worm’s eye view of military action, and former soldiers are even less aware of all the considerations that go into strategic planning. Yet compared to what other populations know about the Middle East, Israelis deserve a hearing.

That being said, current public opinion will not determine policy here any more than it does in other stable democracies. Elected officials and senior professionals make the the crucial decisions. They pay attention to public opinion, but also ponder a range of other considerations.   

Popular views about the Arab MK who participated in the flotilla are unlikely to produce a Knesset majority in favor of revoking her citizenship. If some MK’s do promote a campaign to remove her citizenship or expel her from the Knesset, they are not likely to overcome the weight of the Supreme Court’s bias in behalf of free expression. 

Except for explicit cases of Arab politicians dealing with the enemy in wartime, the Court has been more protective of them than of Jewish extremists. The Court did not act against a Knesset measure to deny Rabbi Meir Kahane’s Kach Party the right to run for election on account of incitement, while the Court struck down similar actions against an Arab party. A critic of the MK who sailed on the flotilla and other Arab MKs was not entirely off base when he asked how the United States Congress would respond to propagandists for the Taliban serving in the House or Senate. 

No one in their right mind should expect the United Nations, or even J-Street to bend in response to an Israeli poll showing support for the Gaza blockade. 

Perhaps we can hope that the leaders of other western democracies and commentators will at least pause in their rush to indict, and consider the possibility that Israelis may know their situation well enough to deserve a hearing.

Some of you may be optimistic.

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Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University.