Still Too Soon To Openly Wish Drone Had Killed Bibi

Experts differ regarding the minimum interval that must pass before expressing such a sentiment provokes any reaction other than horror or disgust.

Tel Aviv, October 27 – Domestic political foes of the incumbent Israeli prime minister acknowledged today that not enough time has passed since the Iran-sponsored attempt on his life two weekends ago for it to be safe to express regret that the attempt met with failure.

Binyamin Netanyahu’s opponents have so far avoided any outward expression of rueful wishes that the drone attack on the Netanyahu residence in Caesarea – where the prime minister often spends the weekend – had succeeded, given that, as analysts broadly agree, such sentiments still remain firmly in the “unacceptable” category, despite vocal, well-funded opposition to the embattled Netanyahu. Giving voice to the wish, the opponents admit, can only paint them as siding with Israel’s existential enemy the Iranian regime, despite the premier’s battered political standing in the wake of the intelligence failures and political disillusionment that preceded the current war.

Experts differ regarding the minimum interval that must pass before expressing such a sentiment provokes any reaction other than horror or disgust. “The people who value bringing down Bibi more than, say, the safety of Israelis, they will not, themselves, have any such minimum,” explained political analyst Barry Goldstein. “But perhaps with the exception of a deluded but voluble few, by and large they understand it’s impolitic to give voice to such things so soon after the incident, even if they feel justified. Even the ones who dispense with the pretense that the ‘pro-hostage’ demonstrations each week aren’t just anti-Bibi demonstrations with a veneer of empathy for the families of the captives.”

“I’d say three months, depending on how the war proceeds,” he added. “If Israel continues to score achievements against Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, wishing the assassination attempt had succeeded will remain taboo in polite company. But if things turn south, as Netanyahu’s staunchest opponents hope – though they would never admit to such hope – look for oblique, then more direct, expressions that the drone hit at the wrong time.”

Others saw a shorter window. “It could be tomorrow,” suggested TV journalist Ayalah Hasson. “Not that I’m specifically wishing for that. None of my colleagues would ever admit to thinking that or wanting that, at this stage. But rest assured, once one of the club moves in that direction, the rest of us will fall over one another to be the first one to say it outright.”

“It’s totally different from us accusing Bibi of bringing about Rabin’s assassination with his rhetoric,” she insisted. “Bibi actually deserves it.”

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