Never believe anything in politics…

This has been a momentous and historic week in Israeli politics.

A new President was elected, who will begin his seven-year term next month. The Israeli President is mostly a figure heard, rather than a politician, but he is widely regarded as a father figure for many Israelis. President-elect Herzog is considered a kind, moderate, and mild-mannered man, which is very much what Israel needs, particularly at this politically fraught time.

Also, of course, a prospective government has been declared, which, hopefully, will be brought to a vote and approved by the Knesset in another 10 days or so (maybe less – we’ll see)… After a dozen years of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the possibility of his being deposed is a huge deal for Israelis, regardless of whether they support or oppose him. This is truly the end of an era.

Anyway, I’ve gathered a few quotes on politics that I connect to:

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Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.

–Otto von Bismarck (1815 – 1898)

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Politics swings like a pendulum.

–Ed Gillespie (b. 1961)

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Honor is not the exclusive property of any political party.

–Herbert Hoover (1874 – 1964)

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Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.

–Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948)

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Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.

–Aristotle (384–322 BCE)

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I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

–Charles de Gaulle (1890 – 1970)

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Politics is the art of the possible.

–Otto von Bismarck (1815 – 1898)