Livni Hits Homer on the Democratic Process in Times Op-ed

"Democracy's Price of Admission," A23 (Op-ed), by Tzipi Livni

In a rare New York Times op-ed that is favorable to Israel, leader of the Kadima Party Tzipi Livni surprisingly offers her views on those groups that should participate in democratic elections and more importantly, on those that should not.

She based her piece off of Obama's assertion in his Cairo speech that "Elections alone do not make true democracy." Livni then cogently argues that Islamist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah have "sought participation in the democratic process not to forsake their violent agenda but to advance it. For them, electoral participation was merely a way to gain legitimacy — not an opportunity to change. Some of these groups were better seen as “one-time democrats” determined to use the democratic system against itself." She furthers her point by saying, "We cannot offer international legitimacy for radical groups and then simply hope that elections and governance will take care of the rest."

In the end, Livni proposes the compelling idea of " a universal code for participation in democratic elections" which would "include requiring every party running for office to renounce violence, pursue its aims by peaceful means and commit to binding laws and international agreements." It should be self-evident, for example, that Hezbollah's maintenance of its own militia is contradictory to democratic principles.

Livni perceptively notes that democracy "is about responsibilities as well as rights." If Obama is serious about democracy in the Middle East, he will heed Livni's comments and demand that Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Islamist gruops disarm in order to participate in the democratic process.