Satirist and radio broadcaster Dror Rafael admits in a surprising interview with Schneor Weber on the 'Melting Pot' podcast that reality slapped him in the face - and he went through a process of sobering up.
Rafael said frankly: "My perception of reality in many ways has changed. Things I thought about politics, the media, the right and the left have shifted. Most of my molecules have stayed in the same place, but my perception of the Palestinians has completely changed.".
Rafael, who describes himself as "very, very secular," recounts how things Weber had said to him in the past about our right to the land began to sink in. "I see myself as a citizen of the world, who cares about Westerners and Circassians equally. But this land is not easy, and it was at this point that I began to think about the historical connection. The Jewish connection, the biblical connection, the Jewish connection - the inheritance of our ancestors. All of this must resonate with us. If it doesn't resonate, there's no reason for us to be here.".
When asked about the term "disillusionment," Rafael hesitates but partially agrees.
""Wanting peace is an excellent phase, but under these circumstances, with these people - it's impossible. You can't try to get a product that no one sells. We've reached out again and again, and after all the attempts, today we can sadly say that it's not working.".
A significant portion of the conversation is devoted to Rafael's criticism of the system he grew up in - the Israeli media. Rafael, who describes himself as a "compulsive media consumer", admits that only in retrospect did he understand the right-wing sentiment towards the mainstream media.
""I grew up on Channel 1 and IDF Radio. I listened to Razi Barkai without knowing that he was 'leftist.' I thought they were objective, that they brought the news as it was. Today I understand that it was 'leftist in disguise.' Why didn't they tell me that there was another legitimate opinion about Oslo? It even makes me angry.".
Rafael comes out in defense of the existence of Channel 14, even if he doesn't agree with all of its content. "People's need to hear other opinions is real. The attempt to portray everyone who thinks differently as crazy is an injustice that is now being corrected. True liberalism is hearing a lot of opinions in order to become a more sophisticated person. When you only hear one opinion, you become one-dimensional.".
Rafael also presents a complex position on the judicial system. On the one hand, he objects to Yariv Levin's aggressiveness ("He came with a D9 bulldozer to destroy, not repair"), but on the other hand, he admits that the image of High Court judges as objective "monks of creation" has cracked in his eyes.
""When you see them on camera, angry and vulnerable, you realize that they are human beings who are influenced by Twitter and the newspapers. It harms institutions, and the disintegration of institutions is not a healthy thing for the country.".
Rafael's transition and the expression of positions identified with the right did not go down well on social media. He talks about "catapults" and vicious reactions, but claims he is not upset.
""I don't like whining. They write superficial things, ask me if I'm looking for a job at Channel 14. It's funny, because if I were looking for a job, it would be much easier for me to flatter Channels 12 or 13.".
Dror Rafael seems to be comfortable in his "embarrassment." He's not a BIBist, he still defines himself as a leftist on social issues, but he refuses to continue turning a blind eye to a changed reality. "I just think consumers need to be smarter. Don't just consume what you're comfortable hearing in your echo chamber. That's not where sublime ideas grow.".
