Netanyahu would accept role in opposition. A crack in Israel’s deadlock? Or drawn-out political instability?
Likud’s offer to go into opposition defused the power-sharing – or else – ultimatum Yisrael Beitenu’s Avigdor Lieberman put before the two leading parties on Saturday, Nov. 9. He failed to break the deadlock persisting since the last election granted neither of the two leading parties, incumbent Likud or contender Kahol-Lavan, the requisite numbers for forming a government. Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu tried his hand first – and failed. Benny Gantz must this week prove he can make it. Hoping to break the impasse, Lieberman, whose small party offers the missing votes, announced that if either Netanyahu or Ganz rejects his terms for a unity government, he would back his rival in forming a government.
Likud’s refusal to play Lieberman’s game, opting rather to go into opposition, along with its allies, the 55-member right-wing-religious bloc, disarmed the ultimatum and put Gantz on the hot plate.
With time running out for his candidature, the Kahol Lavan leader has three immediate options:
- He could go for a minority coalition government, relying on the backing of the Arab Joint List. Even if Lieberman joins this lineup, it would be too fraught with contradictions to survive for any length of time. The pitfalls are obvious: Would the Arab lawmakers vote for the defense budget (which with the state budget is hanging fire during the transition period)? Conversely, would a majority in the House vote for an Arab bill endorsing the Israeli Arab community’s espousal of a Palestinian state?
- The Kahol Lavan leader could go for a unity government on the lines proposed by President Reuven Rivlin, with the premiership rotating between Gantz and Netanyahu and an incapacity clause allowing the former to take over if the prosecution proves its corruption case against the latter. For Netanyahu to accept this plan, he would be required to abandon the allies of his 55-member bloc, while Gantz would have to part company with Yair Lapid’s “Future” faction, one of the four-man party leadership. Lapid is dead against a partnership with Netanyahu in any shape or form.
- Gantz could throw in the sponge, in which case the short-lived Knesset would announce another general election, the third in a year.
While a unity government is held out as the only desirable cure-all for the rift besetting Israel’s political landscape – particularly at a time of acute security challenges – it is something of misnomer. The animosities, personal and political, among the prospective partners run too deep for long-term cohabitation – especially under rotating premiers.
But meanwhile, the major destabilizing factor persists of the unresolved criminal allegations hanging over Netanyahu’s head, so long as Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit’s does not make his mind up about which would stand up in court before filing indictments, and whether they include corruption or only lesser charges. While waiting for a decision, these allegations serve the prime minister’s opponents as ammunition for attempts to kill him dead as a political leader, while Netanyahu and his followers go to unforeseen lengths to fight back and discredit his accusers, including the police and state prosecutors.
Until this affair is resolved one way or another and Netanyahu finally gets his day in court, Israel can look forward to a period of prolonged political instability that lurches from one impasse to the next.
Power struggle at the cost of the state of Israel.The future isn’t looking bright.
Power struggle among Allied leaders before the 1944 invasion?
Lieberman is a deluded nutter; Netanyahu will be cleared of all serious charges and come back in a landslide
Lapid and Lieberman in crazy positions , continue to harm Israel’s security and the opportunities in front of it . Trump has less than one year to 2020 ; Iran creaking and may well attack in suicidal desperation.
One would think Bibi & Gantz would compromise and not play Libermann Game but both prefer holding out to seek that advantage which means they are playing Libermann Game Anyway? The Price of Democracy & Moses had similar Problems with the 12 Tribes until Judges were appointed. Kings took over & that did not end well for Israel, either as Good Kings were often replaced with Bad ones? The Beat Goes On!
Ohh holy mountain of Zion, what is befalling you?….. the devil’s trick is to come in an angles persona
Once a right wing, your own guardian is. now inviting jackals,foxes and dogs to climb up upon your peak, to take a look at your state structure and security formation.
Of course they will, but with a Sly mind,then they will try to snatch the sword from you,…tear you from within and without
SHAKED for PM, that is the solution. br, Avi Haaetz.
Put Bibi on trial so that this mess can be sorted out. Dragging this out is not fair on the voters that have to guess if Bibi is guilty, nor is it fair on Bibi who needs to defend himself against innuendo. Yes it may mean that Bibi missed out on the next election but its going to be far better for the country to move past this distraction and have a stable government.
Part of a Democratic Republic is to challenge the Thoughts, Deeds, & Honesty of the Leaders Whether Accusations of Crimes Resignations, Abuse of Power or by Impeachments. It is to Prevent One Man Rule being Out Guessed & Form Compromise Solutions. Far better that Lifetime One Party Emperors, Religious Supreme Leader, King or Crime Boss. It actually makes the Nations People Stronger in America & Israel.
Says pie in the sky Tommy
Yahoo is a sharmuta who humps goats. He belongs in jail!!
Israel on the path to the failed state
Arab countries become failed tate, because they are divided to the ethnical or religious grups and sects
( Arab, Kurds , Turkmen, Druse, Shia,sunni, Alewit….) and they can not manage this split
Israel will be a failed state, because the yare jews
Jews do not deserve to have own state
Jews must live under rules of moslems or chrisitans
Do Palestinians deserve their own state, then? They are not exactly a model for good governance!
@Abbas… Just the Opposite, Honest Political Proposals & Rule Of Law Divisions Protects the People even as Leaders Come & Go. A Million People can Protests & Governments not Afraid of their People. Unlike Iran Shiia Regimes & Hizballah Gang Militias, Gaza Hamas Failures Ruling with their People in Poverty! Israel Celebrates Change in Powers While Iran Condemns People By Holding Onto Power Under Cruel Rule Greed.
@GST001. Yet another murderer of English communication rendering his purported enlightened message incomprehensible by the abuse of caps. Get a life!
“Jews do not deserve to have own state
Jews must live under rules of moslems or chrisitans”
@ abbas,
The so-called Palestinians have given the civilized world 2 examples of what type of government they are capable of: the “Palestinian Authority” and Gaza………………….so impressive!
@abbas. Really? All while there are no true democratic Arab states either.
This instability will play into the enemy hands: https://raptureandendtimes.com/2019/11/09/iran-the-hook-in-putins-jaw/
Bibi has qualities about him. Gantz also has qualities too. Lieberman also has qualities too. They all have qualities. And gfod things to offer this country. I welcome them all. But to be honest. It’s better that all the parties including Arabic ones become united in some way or form. For stability reasons. The Arabs have also interesting perspectives to offer. Stay open minded. Likud is a good party. They realise that there is room for re thinking in there own party too. That is welcome too. But Israel must not go too far to the right and isolate itself from other good peoples in this world. This land does not only belong to Jews… But to all the people of Abraham…
Same thing here in the USA, two sides one trying to fix the problem the other just throwing sand in the gears. The liberals are so worried about not letting the Republicans do something right they would rather destroy the nation.
The countdown to the demise of the Jewish state has begun…
And this is from a Jew and an old Israeli…
Yosef,
It will be a great sense of relief and satisfaction.
“It will be a great sense of relief and satisfaction.”
@ “Arbeit Macht Frei”,
In your case, the bathroom for your European economy hotel room is just down the hall……………….if you leave your room right now and get there quickly, you can avoid any messy accidents.
Good ‘ole “Arbeit Macht Frei”, still upset about the fact that the side he supported LOST WWII!
“The countdown to the demise of the Jewish state has begun…
And this is from a Jew and an old Israeli…”
@ Yosef,
That’s what they said in 1956, 1967 and 1973…………………………..
Israel is a kaka State with the drek floating on top
“Israel is a kaka State with the drek floating on top”
@ “Rabbi Sam Popack”,
Forgot to take your MEDS………………………………………..again ????????
I’m a bit surprised that this site does not account for the reality that if Gantz fails to form a government, there is still a 21 day period before the Knesset dissolves itself. At that time, any member of the Knesset can try to form a government, and sources close to the PM have repeatedly suggested that this is the time when they feel they might have the best chance. In fact Netanyahu has said so himself. I estimate that he’s trying to regain control of the process, and that thinks that while Gantz holds the mandate, there are too many scenarios whereby Gantz can figure out a way to take the office of PM all for himself. Whereas if the mandate returns to the Knesset, they can negotiate more as equals, at which point he can break the bloc without risking everything.
It’s time to go straight to the 1P1V1S one state, where every Palestinian or ‘other Israeli’ gets one vote
Since there’s roughly 12 million Palestinians and more or less 5 million other Israelis, the outcome has long been predicted. Even Trump and small children predicted it with a prime minister name Marwen (or ‘Muhammad’) Barghouti coming down the pike for Netanyahu
Within is a scant three days the Netanyahu reign is over – truly a Festivus for the rest of us
“—————where every Palestinian or ‘other Israeli’ gets one vote——————–”
A much better scenario would be for the so-called “Palestinians” to leave Judea and Samaria (AKA the “West Bank”) and rejoin their fellow Palestinians in what today is mislabeled as “Jordan” and engage in 1P1V1S over there.
The other day I had to go home and change after spilling coffee on myself, but hey, it was for the best because I avoided a major traffic jam!
When confused by a “political instability” take small sips of iced coffee while pondering the pros and contras, it will certainly cool you down.
it’s all very simple
Indict Netanyahu in Israel on cases 1000, 2000, 4000, then hit him with the Mueller report and his encryption conspiracy with Kushner that the Mueller report illuminates during the Trump impeachment disclosures
Combine that with the coming November 12 EU wide boycott of mislabeled Israeli products, BDS boom in America therefrom, it’s just all getting too much for Netanyahu to handle
Nikki Haley for PM!
Nikki is a failed Neocon minion, does Sarah Palin of 20/20
She’s worse than Trump and John Bolton
That woman lost any and all credibility by the lies and manipulations she repeatedly uttered at the UN. Never mind the lies really; the worst is the magnitude of stupidity that came out of her mouth. No other nation will tolerate this thing (woman) and deal with her. She can only count on Don The Con to give her a job and protection until he is in a position to do so. That is precisely what Niki Haley is.
Nikki is a failed Neocon minion, does Sarah Palin of 20/20
She’s worse than Trump and John Bolton
Facts That Cannot Be Denied! Israel & America Are Both Complicated, Clumsy, & Noisy Societies But That Is How Our Governments, Leaders Protect & Preserve Our Own People’s Freedoms For Us All! Israel & America Are So Confident We Can Show Off Our Failures Because It Does Not Frighten Us & We Still Move Forward! Unlike Iran, China & Russia & Those No Living In A Free Society!
Yes GT, civilised disagreement, debating issues……. some talking here about netanyau I wish you could view at how they handle disagreement with you….. knife,beheding, bombings, bullets……refugees….. stupid dogs race
I believe this parallels what is happening in the U.S. Dems pursuing their agenda while the affairs of the U.S. take a back seat. I pray the G-d of Israel watches over the Jewish people while its so-called leaders dither away.
That woman lost any and all credibility by the lies and manipulations she repeatedly uttered at the UN. Never mind the lies really; the worst is the magnitude of stupidity that came out of her mouth. No other nation will tolerate this thing (woman) and deal with her. She can only count on Don The Con to give her a job and protection until he is in a position to do so. That is precisely what Niki Haley is.
“That woman lost any and all credibility by the lies and manipulations she repeatedly uttered at the UN. Never mind the lies really; the worst is the magnitude of stupidity that came out of her mouth.”
@ Jim Carrol,
Name just one thing Niki Haley said which falls under that category.
@Robert & Sylvia… Both good points, that augment the discussions. I do not disagree! At some point action must be taken!
Ir’s time for the MK’s to relegate their differences to the back burner, reach understandings on common ground issues and focus on the existential security issues facing Israel today.
What’s missing in the article: Arab – read Muslim— political clout has essentially prevented a clear right wing Jewish majority from forming a government. This is an impending disaster for Israel, as the Arab/Muslims have become king makers and a very serious destabilizing force. God Save Israel. There is only one solution: to denaturalize all citizens with a proven hostility towards the State of Israel: I.e. the vast majority of Israel’s Muslim Arabs, a minority of Christian a Arabs, a minority of the Israeli left, and a minority of the Haredi population. Such policies to apply based on loyalty to the State to avoid running into nonsensical accusations of racism. To make it even more fair: apply to hilltop youth who throw rocks at soldiers.