Was tun, wenn die Rechte regiert? Lehren aus Israel
Summary
In this episode of the WasTun Podcast, hosts Inken Behrmann and Valentin Eason interview Raluca Ganea, founder of the Israeli progressive movement Zazim. They discuss strategies for resisting Israel’s far-right government, focusing on protecting vulnerable populations and countering authoritarian reforms through direct action and narrative building. Ganea also addresses the upcoming elections, highlighting challenges like voter suppression and the need for inclusive coalitions to save Israeli democracy.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Fighting for democracy under right-wing governments
Raluca Ganea introduces Zazim and the Israeli context
The unique nature of the Israeli far-right and religious nationalism
Strategic avenues: Shifting opinion vs. offering alternative narratives
Direct action: Protective presence in the West Bank and olive harvests
Why direct action is more effective than petitions in authoritarian climates
Theory of Being: Moral responsibility and rehumanization through face-to-face contact
Navigating crisis: Triage and balancing winnable campaigns with moral stands
Engaging the wider public and not abandoning peripheral regions
Lessons for Germany: The danger of giving up on rural strongholds
Election laws, voter suppression, and empowering marginalized communities
Electoral challenges: Thresholds, strategic voting, and coalition building
Protecting election integrity against potential authoritarian subversion
Activist well-being: Managing burnout and long-term engagement
Post-interview analysis: Comparing Israeli, Polish, and German far-right ideologies
Strategic learnings: Combining Theory of Change with Theory of Being
Urban-rural polarization and the importance of rural engagement
Electoral dilemmas: Coalition building and the 5% threshold problem
Conclusion: Democracy as a dance and the limits of legal strategies
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