We have a government. I felt
reasonably confident this would be the case by now -- as the deadline for
Netanyahu has run out and Obama is coming this week. But it's been an
insufferably long and complex road getting to that coalition.
I had actually begun a posting
last Thursday, when a coalition seemed to be in place. And then I stopped,
because yet another roadblock had appeared.
Now, I am less inclined to cover
all the ground I would have covered two days ago. Let me simply make some
more general observations.
No matter how you view this
just-completed process of coalition formation, Netanyahu is the loser. He
has made a series of regrettable errors, beginning perhaps with the inclusion of
Tzipi Livni -- if not before, with his attacks on Habayit Hayehudi.
His image as a savvy individual who can turn internal political
situations to his liking has been badly tarnished.
Last week, what he did was to
demonstrate -- hardly for the first time -- that he caves.
This was with regard
to Lapid's demands that Rabbi Shai Piron be Education Minister in
place of Gideon Sa'ar. He was publicly adamant: "No no and no! Take it or
leave it." Had he said, "Well, I'm not in favor, but I have to
consider all ramifications and then we'll see," it would have felt
different.
Yes, there was a deal that was
offered, to make it more palatable for him to back down (and more on this
below). I understand, for example, that Bennett and Lapid agreed to
withdraw a demand that Livni's role be reduced. But the overall
appearance of backing down was unfortunate.
What we were reminded of, in the
course of this dispute, is that if he says, "No, I will not remove Jewish
residents of Judea and Samaria from their homes," it is not necessarily
something we can count on. And Obama is due in days.
~~~~~~~~~~
Then what happened is that Netanyahu had agreed that both Bennett and Lapid
would have the (honorary) title of Deputy Prime Minister. But when the papers
were offered for signing, it was discovered that this had been excised.
"How can I trust you?" Bennett asked, with very good reason, as he declined
to sign.
This was, quite simply inexcusable. With only two days to go, it
was a pathetic stunt. Perhaps vindictive, because he had been pushed
into caving on something he wanted. Perhaps -- as well placed sources in
Likud are rumored to have said -- he did this at his wife's bidding. It
doesn't matter. The decision was his.
The coalition was finally able to come together because Bennett and Lapid
agreed to relinquish their titles. And so, just under the line, Netanyahu
was able to report to President Peres that he has a coalition.
This happened about an hour ago, as I am now writing. If he looks happy in
the picture below, it's simply because he's got himself a government.
Pheww! Not that he has the government of his choice.
Credit: Times of Israel
~~~~~~~~~~
If Netanyahu has been a political loser during this process, it is quite
obvious that Bennett and Lapid have been the winners. These are two men
whose political stars are definitely rising -- which is discomfiting Netanyahu
more than just a bit. That fourth term as prime minister, to which he
aspires, is looking less and less likely.
Bennett has been hailed as a peace maker -- for it was he, doing shuttle
diplomacy, who managed to arrange the deal on the education minister.
What is most remarkable here is that the bond between Bennett and Lapid has
not been broken in the course of everything that has gone on -- and in spite of
the fact that politically they do not always agree. This is said to be a
personal bond formed out of mutual respect and jointly agreed determination
to act on principle.
It should only be! And only time will tell. A political
alliance built on principle and mutual respect? This would signal an
incredible new day in politics, and great things for the nation. But I'm
not ready to celebrate yet.
I've already written about, and continue to feel, an unease about Lapid
because he is too sure of himself for a political novice, and exhibits more than
a bit of arrogance. But quite frankly, in the face of how
Netanyahu has behaved of late, the fact that there are new faces, new
people with declared principles, seems to me very definitely a positive for
our future.
There are serious questions being asked about how long this coalition,
with its built in tensions, can last.
~~~~~~~~~~
The 33rd government will consist of four factions totaling 68 mandates --
Mofaz, with his Kadima party, was not included.
There are certain agreements that have been reached. The size of the
government has been downscaled -- something that was necessary: A technique
for handling political assignments for all coalition factions without pain
has been to increase the number of ministries. Now there will be roughly 21
ministers plus some deputy ministers. Some responsibilities that
would have been assigned ministry positions are being categorized
otherwise. There is an agreement that next time there will be only 18
ministers.
A bill will be introduced requiring the electoral threshold to be five
mandates.
I will table for now what is being proposed regarding army and
national service for haredi yeshiva students -- as this highly contentious issue
requires a closer look.
~~~~~~~~~~
According to the Jerusalem Post, there is still some disagreement
about party assignments, even though the coalition agreements have been
signed. We may not have final assignments in all instances until the
swearing-in on Monday.
The new government is certainly not bad in all respects and actually has
some quite promising things going for it:
Bennett will be part of the Security Cabinet, which is good, and both
Bennett and Lapid will serve in the special committee overseeing the "peace
process," along with Netanyahu, Ya'alon (Defense Minister) and Livni, as
negotiator.
How Lapid will stand on negotiation-related issues remains to be seen, and
is a matter of no small importance. He is, as far as I can determine,
somewhere between Livni and Bennett in his position. Livni has already
attacked Habayit Hayehudi, which she sees as an obstacle to her desire to
achieve an "agreement." She says that she hopes Lapid doesn't move
over to where Bennett is.
~~~~~~~~~~
Bennett will head an expanded Religious Affairs portfolio. Some very
positive changes may come from this. It is my understanding that his
deputy, Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan, will be given free reign in most matters.
Extremely welcome news is the fact that Uri Ariel (Habayit Hayehudi) will
be Housing Minister.
It is also welcome news that Moshe Ya'alon (Likud) will be Defense
Minister -- especially as rumors had Mofaz in this position. Ya'alon is a
solidly good guy, but not primarily an
ideologue -- he tempers his positions according to the political
situation.
What is disconcerting is that his deputy will be Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid), a
leftist with anti-"settlement" leanings. We'll see in coming days how
resolute and strong Ya'alon is. Ya'alon had been Minister of Security
Affairs. That ministry has been cut and I would assume security affairs will be
subsumed within the Defense Ministry.
Ze'ev Elkin (Likud), one of the good guys, is being replaced as Coalition
Head by Yariv Levin, and it is not altogether clear as I write what role Elkin
will play. Elkins co-chaired a Knesset Caucus on the Greater Land of
Israel, and I'm waiting to see where he goes with that.
Yuval Steinitz (Likud), who was Finance Minister (and a good one), is being
replaced by Lapid, and will be Energy and Water Minister.
Gideon Sa'ar (Likud), who is being replaced by Piron as Education Minister,
will be Minister of Interior.
Yuli Edelstein (Likud), another of the good guys, is going to be Knesset
Speaker, replacing Ruby Rivlin. Edelstein was Minister of Public Diplomacy
and Diaspora Affairs. That ministry has been cut, and it is not clear
which ministry will pick up this work.
~~~~~~~~~~
You can see a full line-up here, but keep in mind that there may still be
some adjustments, and that this was drafted before Bennett and Lapid were told
they would not be Deputy Prime Ministers.
~~~~~~~~~~
It will, undoubtedly, be necessary to return to the political
issues.
But our focus now very badly needs to be on the presidential visit and a
host of problems of huge proportions that we must contend with.
Whatever my comments about Netanyahu being the loser in an internal
political struggle, the fact remains is that he is our prime minister and will
be facing down Obama in just days.
In this, I will voice support and prayers for his strength. May he keep his
eye on the principles that matter for all of us here in Israel. And may
our people come together in order to contend with major problems.
~~~~~~~~~~
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Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by Arlene Kushner,
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