Might Naftali Bennett be Responsible for Unity Government?

 

First allow me to say that I respect and really like Naftali Bennett and even agree with him to a point about broadening the scope of the Religious-Zionist party making it a stronger party with a broader base but only as far as retaining its defined perspective and within the boundaries placed by the Rabbis who guide and define the Religious-Zionism. All that said, it might be that Naftali Bennett might be responsible for the danger that Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu might turn to the Labor-Hatnua allied parties under the misnomer of Zionist Union, they should have been named as the Anti-Zionist Union, thus not having to provide influential and vital ministerial positions to the many obvious allies were the Prime Minister desiring to form a right-wing Zionist and conservative coalition. The past political performances over the years by Prime Minister Netanyahu should have given many people pause except it seems that nobody is permitted to speak of such things as they are considered political poison and an area none dare tread for fear of ostracization for going into these past tendencies. There was the reluctance when as Finance Minister in the government of Arik Sharon in the leading days before the Gaza Disengagement and many were calling for him to withdraw from the government and do whatever he could do to bring the government down through a vote of confidence by which to defeat the entire Gaza Disengagement and force new elections. He fought that call insisting that he had a larger voice by remaining in the government and at the last exit Netanyahu finally resigned from the government after Prime Minister Sharon had formed a new Party and coalition making the resignation by Netanyahu all but meaningless. When winning the elections in the 2012 elections the first party which Prime Minister Netanyahu sought to include was the Hatnua Party and rewarding Tzipi Livni with the Minister of Justice position, which is powerful enough in its own, and delegated her chief negotiator for the perpetually, never-ending peace process negotiations with Mahmoud Abbas and fiends. This appointment was incredulous and virtually unacceptable to any Zionist, let alone Religious-Zionists, but all this was taken in stride and Prime Minister Netanyahu was still rewarded with having a truly Zionist government with a coalition depending heavily on Yair Lapid and Tzipi Livni, two politicians not exactly enamored Zionists when one remembers they both support the formation of a Arab Palestinian state and Ms. Livni would prove so desperate to make a deal, any deal, that she continued her negotiations even after being told to cease by Prime Minister Netanyahu though she received no sanction until Yair Lapid also took steps which forced the dissolution of the government and calling for new elections. Now we hear from Naftali Bennett himself that he is prepared to sit in the opposition should a unity government be formed by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

 

None of these events are within the ability of Naftali Bennett to change but there was a particular point where I continued to support Jewish Home and desired the best for Naftali Bennett but felt he had failed in serving in the best possible manner the Jewish Home Party and the Religious-Zionist camp of Israelis by removing from their range of choices the ability to have Naftali Bennett be the next Prime Minister and giving a true Religious-Zionist the ability to be forming the next government. This was the point when Naftali Bennett stated that he was not prepared to be made Prime Minister and was more suited at this time to be a supporting and strong force in a right wing Zionist government led by Prime Minister Netanyahu. First thing, it is the voting public which decides who is ready and best suited to form a government that best represents their needs and beliefs. By simply stating by Naftali Bennett that he was not prepared to take such a step and series of responsibilities and desired to solely support Prime Minister Netanyahu should he win and be selected to form the next government. While I respect his honesty, I am disappointed that he took his name from contention for the position of Prime Minister. This meant in the final days the position was still undecided and there was this surging of support assuring that there would be a Zionist and strong Prime Minister capable of holding their own against a hostile United States President all benefitting the sole logical choice. Without Naftali Bennett as an alternative, these people, the majority of which were Religious-Zionists, many very strongly so, had but one choice to support to prevent the leftist, post-Zionist, post-modernist, politically correct and passive, weak leaders offered by the Zionist Union cooperative alliance of Labor Party Yitzhak Hertzog and the Hatnua Party. That left them only Netanyahu, the same Netanyahu who had left them hanging as he wilted claiming there was no other choice as President Obama pressured him time and time again. So, what could have been an alternative situation?

 

I’m glad you asked. Let us go back to the evening before Naftali Bennett issued that fateful commentary where he described how he did not yet feel he had sufficient whatever to be the next Prime Minister of Israel and would merely desire to play a supportive roll behind Prime Minister Netanyahu should Netanyahu be tapped to form the next governing coalition. Well, color me enthused to support Jewish Home. This meant that coming down the home stretch the only person voters desiring a strongly Zionist governance were faced with the somewhat of a wet noodle who had frozen building unofficially in deference to President Obama, had repeatedly stated his support for the formation of an Arab state named Palestine cut out of the heartland, the ancient and holy heartland of Israel. This resulted in damaging the Jewish Home Party more than anything else, even the announcing the placement of a well-known soccer player who, as it turns out, might have been actively supported by the council of Rabbis who should have been given much earlier notice and perhaps they might have assisted in facilitating the placement thus having it not have created any controversy. That was more a problem of appearance and lack of sufficient planning before the announcement of his placing amongst the candidate lists. But the announcement that the leader of one of what is aspiring to become a major force and potentially head of a ruling coalition in the future stating he was not sufficiently seasoned and not yet ready to be Prime Minister basically took a lot of potential voters from supporting Jewish Home. Anybody wishing to vote for a strong right-wing government and not overly comfortable with Benyamin Netanyahu could not now support Jewish Home if Naftali Bennett was not making himself relevant to be Prime Minister and was only ready to play a supporting role behind Prime Minister Netanyahu, where could they turn? This may have sent those who are mainstream Jewish Home voters in any normal election cycle to either seek one of the other Religious-Zionist parties or vote for Likud and the selection of Benyamin Netanyahu as that was where Naftali Bennett was already promising to commit his Knesset seats to support. Why vote for Jewish Home who would only work to promote Netanyahu if they could simply vote for Netanyahu and cut out the middleman which is exactly what Bennett had relegated his position for. This was made even more dire when at the closing hours the cry went out for all Zionists and conservatives to rally around and make sure that the person selected to form the next government was not those who the efforts of President Obama and his meddling interference were pushing for victory, but was the only other choice, Netanyahu for Prime Minister. The choice should have been between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett.

 

Had the alternate choice of Naftali Bennett been available there could, dare I say would, have been those who came out later in the day answering the call and voted for Netanyahu when they would have preferred somebody other than Bibi as well but not the leftist Zionist Union as the selected party so they bit the bullet and voted Likud. Additionally, there were very likely a good number Jewish Home supporters who when answering the call to vote to assure that Israel would have a strong and Zionist government which fully represents the conservative, right-wing, Zionist governance, one that Netanyahu promised would stand and prevent the formation of an Arab state of Palestine despite any pressures from Europe, the United States, the United Nations or anywhere else, a promise made by Netanyahu personally, would have preferred to have voted for an alternative candidate but were left only with the choice of Netanyahu as Naftali Bennett has stated he will only support Netanyahu as he was unprepared to be Prime Minister. This brought forth the votes required to thrust the Likud to win in an unprecedented fashion claiming thirty mandates and it can be easily guessed that a percentage of these voters would have voted Jewish Home intending to place Naftali Bennett as the one tapped to form the coalition knowing that then Likud Ministers, including Benyamin Netanyahu, would be in a solidly Religious-Zionist, right-wing, nationalist government coalition. As far as Naftali Bennett’s admission that he was not prepared to lead the nation of Israel, allow me to wax about those who also were not prepared to lead the people of Israel. There was Moses who when facing the burning bush and was addressed by G0d to go tell Pharos to “Let my people go that they may serve me,” replied that he was unworthy, unprepared, not the man to lead and take such an important role. We thank the L0rd that Moses was set straight and given the power to lead the people from bondage, give them the laws and deliver them to the doorstep of the Promised Lands. Not that bad for one who was not prepared or worthy to lead. David may have stepped to the fore to fight Goliath but not until after a number of days of taunting by this overgrown Philistine, but he did not feel prepared to be the King and even hid from Saul and his family not trusting that he was the chosen to lead the people of Israel. Samson denied his Heavenly callings and yet, in the end, brought the house down on the enemies of the people of Israel. Jonah went to great lengths to run from his tasks as he too felt he was not the man of the hour, but he was brought to perform those deeds for which he was chosen. We probably do not have the complete list by far of those who shirked their calling simply because they did not believe themselves ready to fulfill some destiny but missed their crucial role leaving it for somebody who we likely now treasure for answering the call. Now we have Netanyahu who has already backed away from his promise for no Arab state being formed under his watch. What next, the formation of a unity government with Buji and Tzipi? Will there be additional things we were told were impossible as Prime Minister Netanyahu had seen the light and was now a true Zionist and would defend Israel from the pressures from the outside world and if, or when, so, what will the next shoe falling be the sign of that betrayal? Is this because nobody else was ready, willing or able to be Prime Minister except those who are willing to fold before President Obama, the European Union and assorted European leaders? Next election cycle, if there is one, please if you are still not prepared to be Prime Minister, then please allow a new leader of the Party climb to the fore and be ready for us to support to be Prime Minister so we will not be left wondering what kind of government will result, somebody who is supportive of the Religious-Zionist ethics and positions through and through, somebody we will not fear what they might compromise next and we will support them and hopefully place them in as the one tapped to form a government that will support and serve the ideals we cherish.

 

Beyond the Cusp

 

Coalition Choices Will Reveal if Sacrifice to Vote Likud Was Righteous

 

If as all are assuming and Benyamin Netanyahu is chosen by President Rivlin to attempt to form a ruling coalition, the choices which Netanyahu makes, and the sacrifices he decides are either favoring his intentions or necessary for assuming power, will be scrutinized by the Religious Zionists who have already made a huge sacrifice taking away votes, mandates and eventually influence from their normative parties such as Jewish Home (: הַבַּיִת הַיְהוּדִי), Yachad (יַחַד) and any other nationalist, Zionist, religious or politically conservative party and entrusted Netanyahu and the additional Knesset Ministers to carry out their desired goals. There have been signs that Netanyahu recognizes these sacrifices but it will remain for all to witness for how long he keeps these trusts in mind and for how long, if at all, the additional Ministers remain faithful to the traditional and core principles found within the Likud foundational documents and beliefs. Some of the important trusts which Netanyahu could perform immediately after the Knesset votes affirming his coalition range from the easy, shattering the silent building freeze and allow extensive enlargement of the communities in Judea and Samaria including allowance for the seeding of new communities and industrial and other economic centers across the width and breadth of Area C and, further down the road, adding new ventures in Area B.

 

Netanyahu can alter the conversation of forming an independent Arab state by stating that Israel is willing to allow a semi-autonomous Arab entity which rules its denoted area independent of Israel as far as governing themselves much as they currently live but remaining as an autonomous entity within Israel and reliant on the IDF for any defensive requirements and restricted from acting on the international level such as making treaties with other nations or acting in ways detrimental to the needs, requirements, political policies or relations beyond those already existent within Israeli foreign policies and relations. As Prime Minister of Israel he should bring the Levy Report to the forefront of Israeli actions towards the lands of Judea and Samaria and stress the commitments that Israel expects the world to recognize as explained and set out in the report’s conclusion.

 

As Prime Minister, Netanyahu must also begin and reinforce stressing constantly Article 80 of the United Nations Charter and bring to the fore the San Remo Conference documents and surround these two legally binding principles recognized and presumably enforceable under International Law making an airtight irrevocable claim of ownership over all of Judea and Samaria as well as the rest of the lands between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. These ideas and their implications should end any further claims that International Law forbids Israel from annexing all of Judea and Samaria as long as the Arabs residing within the annexed areas retain full religious rights, full human rights, full legal rights, and virtually any form of rights imaginable with one very important exception, they may be denied political rights. This is the situation which must be stressed due to its importance and revealing the full rights pertaining to the Israeli rights to all the lands making them not only no longer contested but that their occupation by the Arabs is illegal and that any autonomy granted to the Arabs by Israel cannot and will not be construed as allowing for an independent Arab State or any other state as the lands were preserved for the Jewish State under International Law without even a sliver of doubt or contention by any other entity.

 

During the forming of the Twentieth Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu must make every effort not to include Yesh Atid and thus place Yair Lapid in the opposition thus any disturbance which emanates from him will not be a direct threat to the coalition or cause the governing coalition to be dissolved. The formation of a ruling coalition which is stable and supportive of the principles which Netanyahu was elected to pursue, protect and empower should be the foremost thought and a requirement of which each party must agree to value just as stridently and with vigor equal to that used backing their primary issues without exception. Here is the list of the Parties according to ideology and probability to be included in the coalition to those expected to be relegated to the opposition: Likud – 29, Jewish Home – 8, Yisrael Beiteinu – 6, Shas – 7, United Torah Judaism – 7, Kulanu – 10, Yesh Atid – 11, Arab List – 14, Meretz – 4, Labor/Hatnua – 24. Likud could ally with their 29 mandates and add Jewish Home, Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Kulanu reaching a total of 67 total seats while avoiding including Yair Lapid and his Yesh Atid. Of course should the Labor/Hatnua take the remaining mandates and swing Kulanu and they also would have over 61 mandates which makes Kulanu, or technically Yair Lapid the deciders of the results of the election and whether or not Likud is able to put together their required mandates and form a government. Hopefully Netanyahu will use the wiles and strong turnout and support for his party to form his coalition. This process will be noted and hopefully will not cause concern but what will really matter are those few items the such as honestly putting the building freeze out of our misery and permit building and allow such building in all areas of commerce, industry and residential allowing for strong and attractive communities. Then there will be the initial pressures to restart the peace process in which Netanyahu will need to bring the argument and propaganda to rest and replace it with the facts, treaties and accords which define which lands belong to whom and under, that ever so mentioned and used to bludgeon Israel, International Law which should stand firmly beside Israel and all her claims to retain all of her lands, period!

 

After establishing these two initiatives Bibi can then address the social issues with solid economic steps which are reasoned and fully debated moving ahead with measured steps and firm reliance and faith in the practices established by previous similar situations which produced the desired results. In numerous instances what may be required is for the government to get out of the way and relegate some functions to religious institutions that are better suited for some functions such as free kitchens which feed those in need of such assistance. There will also be those functions which government is best suited to solve and should act. This should come naturally to Netanyahu as he proved in a previous government when he was assigned the Economy Minister. Such problems are usually traceable to a few requirements which make achieving a goal which would protect the poor and provide relief with minimal red tape. The same is true of many items burdening the Middle Class. As stated, Netanyahu will be facing the closest scrutiny from more than the usual entities as he received a strong mandate from people outside his party and beyond his base and these people have known grievances and demands and they will watch sitting on nervous expectations that had best be addressed with a sense of urgency. So, as said all too often after elections, we will wait and see with open minds and soaring hearts all kept within reason by good Jewish kidneys. (Oh yes, we had a whole article using the Biblical reference by King David to kidneys and their blessings and importance in so many ways, honest.)

 

Beyond the Cusp

 

Long Night Births Hard Questions on Israeli Election Results

 

With virtually all the votes counted we have the preliminary picture but the lines are fuzzy and the results produce more questions than answers. Likud is leading the pact with 29 seats with the “Zionist Camp” of Labor and Hatnua following with 24 and the Joint Arab List has 14 seats, followed by Yesh Atid with 11, Kulanu with 10, Jewish Home has 8, the Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism tied at 7, Yisrael Beytenu has 6 and Meretz closes out the list with 4 seats and unfortunately Yachad party will be left out. The raw numbers would indicate a huge win for Netanyahu and loss for the “Zionist Camp” falling well behind due to Likud exceeding its lower polling and Labor-Hatnua equaling expectations. A closer look reveals where the Likud came by its higher numbers and it appears that Likud gains came at the expense of largely Jewish Home and potentially prevented Yachad from making threshold. The other obvious change has been that instead of preventing the fragmentation and reducing the number of minor parties the raising of the threshold only served to drive the smaller leftist, anti-Zionist Communist and Post=Modernist parties into a single block under the name of Arab Block and given them two to three additional mandates making Zoabi and Tibi appear all the stronger. These raw results are meaningless until the different parties, unions and blocks make their desires and support clear to President Rivlin producing a clearer picture who should be given first shot at forming a coalition.

 

The raw data would make Likud out to be the victor and to the victor go the spoils, but what spoils? The name of the game is coalition making and hopefully doing so with in kind minds and supporters of your positions. This means that any seats gained by Likud at the expense of Jewish Home makes the resultant total possessed by the two presumed to be allied parties no different and all the Likud gains from Jewish Home losses as simply rearranging the chairs on either a cruise ship or the Titanic. The truth is that Netanyahu does not really want the religious, Zionist, nationalist allied parties to be the base of his support when forming his coalition. Netanyahu wants to have as much political leeway allowing him to go in whatever direction provides him with the easiest path in the new government. By Netanyahu weakening the standing of Jewish Home, when forming any coalition now would make Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid and Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu parties more important and carrying a greater influence than Jewish Home and making Naftali Bennett’s voice virtually powerless and squelched while Yair Lapid and Moshe Kahlon will be the roaring lions in the government and also place them ahead of Jewish Home in choosing the Ministerial position of power in the cabinet. This will give Netanyahu the leftward freedom to ignore the demands of the Religious Zionists as he desired. Netanyahu’s ploy of assailing Jewish Home voters laying any loss he might face to Hertzog and Livni at their feet just as he had done previously except this time he did so with no apparent loss in voter totals that he faced in 2013.

 

So now we wait and see who will be chosen to form a coalition first and then suffer through six weeks of excruciatingly boring power plays which we already see Jewish Home and the Zionist and nationalists being mostly sidelined while the personal aggrandizing Yesh Atid and Kulanu parties empowering Yair Lapid and Moshe Kahlon loudly impressing their demands and thus control over the most critical areas in the next government. Lapid may demand Treasury Minister for himself and two other high position Ministerial position for his main people with Kahlon likely to demand Foreign Minister or Defense Minister and two other major Ministerial positions for his list leaving Jewish Home with second pickings of the scraps for the supporting members and a middle level leftover for Naftali Bennett. The one certainty is that the governing coalition will not be the nationalist, Zionist government that Netanyahu once again ran on but will once again claim he is prevented from pursuing due to the lack of support from, you guessed it, a weakened and ineffectual Jewish Home. As long as the religious Zionists fall for the Netanyahu cry after running a weak campaign making the certainty of his returning to the Prime Ministership a definitive possibility from the polls and then turning to the supporters of Jewish Home and the other ardent Zionist parties to vote Likud to stave off the leftist challenge then Jewish Home will be forever the bridesmaid and never the bride. Eventually the leader, be it Bennett or be it his successor or beyond down the road, assuming there is a down the road, decides to challenge and present Jewish Home as the new leadership for Israel, Netanyahu will continue to utilize this ploy of siphoning off the votes of those more Zionist than Netanyahu desires to govern with and neutering those Zionist parties from where Netanyahu glides to victory with the stolen support, then the real Zionist political power will remain neutered and voiceless in the future Likud Party led governments. For now we must wait and see what develops but be warned that the expectations of the ardent Zionists have once again been sacrificed to the Bibi and thus lower expectations are their feed in the coming government. The other reality is that it appears that Netanyahu will require Yair Lapid and his treasonous backstabbing to permit a coalition to be cobbled together, so expect new elections again in two or so years when Lapid again sees a wounded Netanyahu for his actions such as the silent building freeze or whatever other sacrifices made presumably in response to a powerful United States President Obama in order to salvage continued friendship from the White House. Anybody else notice that it is only Israel who needs to obey and bow to the will of Obama? Can bowing to golden calves or worse be far behind?

 

Beyond the Cusp