Does J14 allow space for criticism? “Everyone here is on drugs”

Interesting e-mail from an American-born Israeli friend, regarding the inability to voice criticism of the J14 movement in certain circles:

I am in solidarity with the protests – this is the first time that I have felt as though I must say that I am in solidarity with something in this place – and yet I have been repeatedly told that I am “bitter,” “do not belong in Israeli society,” “need to say a good word about the protests in public,” “want to see Israelis fail,” and once even told that I am a self-hating Jew with no place in Israel – by a lefty!

I feel, in no uncertain terms, that most of the people around me are on drugs. Like the way many American Liberals refused to tolerate any criticism of Obama in his campaign. The often-used Israeli tactic of attacking one’s credibility by stating they are not a Sabra has been another trend in discussions about these protests. I have never heard so many times in my life “you were not born here,” “you have no idea what going here because you are not Israeli,” etc.

I thought about writing about theses issues but I feel like I would be poking a monster with a stick. I think that the reality as it stands now is quite clear, do not raise criticism of the “revolution.” The fact that I have heard every day, “the revolution needs time, the revolution needs time,” is a signal to me that people here do not want to address systemic issues or they are scared of them.

For Christ’s sake, I was told by many close friends that I need to say how great the “revolution” was for kicking out the settlers last week (they left for Shabbat and are back last week). Yesterday, I was told how amazing it was that the settlers are “getting the silent treatment.” What’s next? J14 is going to deprive them of their juice boxes and [Kahane man Baruch] Marzel will be prohibited from an afternoon nap on Rothschild? Drugs, people here are drugs right now. No one wants to be the outsider that everyone hates. It is lonely.