Ever since the world was stunned by images of the first moon landing, Americans have used that achievement as a yardstick for government competence. You would hear people say, “If they can put a man on the moon, why can’t they fix the potholes?” It was a mix of pride and frustration – proof that human genius could reach the stars, even as everyday needs on the ground went unmet.
That old phrase came to mind last week when Israel launched its remarkable Ofek 19 satellite, just as, in an unrelated story, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman released a scathing report on the government’s failure to meet the needs of civilians both before and since October 7, 2023.
For most Israelis, the report was no surprise. Ordinary citizens have been volunteering in great numbers to fill the gaps left by the government. Englman’s findings described systemic failures, not just one-time mistakes that could be excused by the fog of war.
Since the end of the Second Lebanon War in 2006, every government has failed to assign clear responsibility for managing the home front. When no one is in charge, it’s little wonder that nothing gets done. Successive governments – Netanyahu’s long tenures as well as the Bennett-Lapid coalition – share in this failure.
A country of contrasts
Israelis have long seen the decline in basic services. Hospitals struggle with overcrowded emergency rooms, classrooms overflow, and essential infrastructure lags. The paradox is striking: on the one hand, brilliant rocket scientists; on the other, adults aged 16-65 who rank near the bottom among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries in reading and math.
Even the land suffers neglect. Our forests – once lovingly planted, symbolized by the little blue charity boxes – are increasingly ravaged by wildfires, including the devastating blaze that disrupted Independence Day. Englman warned bluntly: “We are one step away from disaster.”
War isn’t the whole story
Of course, Israel is fighting a terrible multi-front war that demands immense resources. But these shortcomings didn’t begin on October 7. They are longstanding. While government systems stall, non-governmental sectors continue to push forward.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University are preparing to implant engineered spinal cord tissue in humans, offering hope to paralyzed patients. Israeli scientists are pioneering treatments for PTSD with deep TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation). The army, for its part, has introduced faster responses to acute stress and set up hotlines encouraging soldiers in distress to seek help.
These examples remind us of what’s possible when focus and accountability are applied.
What needs to change?
How can Israel be brilliant in science and business yet inadequate in governance? What would it take to raise the government performance closer to the level of our scientists and entrepreneurs?
The first step may be accountability. People should be rewarded for doing their jobs well and held responsible when they fail. If a disaster results from negligence, a leader should be fired or, better yet, have the integrity to resign. We need less cronyism and more merit; less “who you know” and more “what you know.”
Back to Earth
We all take pride in seeing Israel’s rockets soar into orbit, defending the home front from above. Now it’s time for that same spirit of excellence to be applied here on earth by building a government that serves its citizens with the same skill, dedication, and foresight as our scientists and innovators.
The writer is a psychologist with the Tikva 24/7 Helpline, (074) 775-1433. She’s also the podcast host of The Van Leer Institute Series on Ideas.