Page 37 - Jewish News_April 2020

COMMENTARY April 2020 37A

Mr. Friendly Netanyahu or fourth election?

By Harold M. Halpern

he Israeli election on Monday, the Joint List, 15 ( Israel Arab parties);
March 2 was the third effort in and Yisrael Beiteinu, 7 (mostly Rus-

Ta year to break the deadlock sian speaking Israelis led by Avigdor
between the Right Coalition and the Leberman).
Center-Left Coalition to form a gov- By the middle of March, President
ernment. Until Reuvin Rivlin will designate a party
the week before leader, usually the leader with the most
the election, the seats, to try to form a government with
polls were pre- 61 or more votes. The leader has 28
dicting that the days to try and secure the votes. The
Blue White party time can be extended for an additional
of the Center- 21 days. If not successful, the President
Left led by Ben- can appoint another leader to try. After
ny Gantz would the September election, neither Netan- At Allegiant, our clients are part of our family.
Harold M. Halpern receive the larg- yahu or Gantz were able to secure 61.
est number of seats in the Knesset but By the time you read this column, And we always put our family first.

not enough to form a government. all might be history. The atmosphere is We are a different kind of financial advisor. We are independent, we

Several days before the election, different. There is a sense that a way conduct our own research, and our team is committed to a long-term vision
the polls indicated a swing to Likud of will be found. The speculation is rife: that is focused solely on our clients’ success. Whether navigating the sale
the Right led by Prime Minister Benja-  Despite denials, several members of a business, making the most of retirement, or creating a plan for the next
min Netanyahu but it was uncertain if of Center-Left, some of whom generation, we make all the moving parts work towards the best outcome.

the Right would get 61 seats in Knesset were formally members of Likud, Find out what it means to be part of our family.
(a required majority). will defect and join the Right rath-
I watched Israel TV after the polls er than face a fourth election Allegiant Private Advisors
closed. There were a couple of sur-  Leberman and Yisrael Beiteinu 240 S. Pineapple Ave., Suite 200
prises. The voters did not suffer voter agree to join the Right coalition Sarasota, FL 34236

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fatigue. To the contrary, it was the despite his repeated refusal to
highest turnout in over 20 years – the serve in government with the reli- Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, a Registered Investment Adviser

first surprise. The second surprise was gious parties, Shas and United To-
that the Right was projected to receive rah (not likely)
59 seats, a significant increase particu-  Gantz or a portion of Blue-White

larly for Likud over the September forms a Unity government with the
numbers. At the same time, the indica- Right, despite repeated refusals to Want to
tions were that the Center-Left would sit with Netanyahu
sustain a loss.  The Israel Supreme Court rules
The TV switched to the parties’ that no Knesset member may be Receive
headquarters. The Right was celebrat- Prime Minister while under indict-
ing and Center-Left was silent. It ment or Knesset adopts a law to
clearly felt that there was a momentum that effect; a new leader of Likud Texts

swing in recognition of public support becomes acceptable to form a Uni-
for Netanyahu despite the criminal in- ty government
dictments pending against him.  Leberman supports Gantz with about Jewish
Victory speeches were made on the Joint List to form a minority gov-
Right. On the Center-Left, the blame ernment united only by their oppo- community news,
game began. Gantz was a poor inar- sition to Netanyahu
ticulate candidate without a platform If none of these happen or some event updates
other than that Netanyahu was mor- other breakthrough doesn’t occur, a

ally unfit. He did little to differentiate fourth election will be required. I will and more?
his policies from Netanyahu. He was be eager to learn what happens; it may
called Likud light. be when you read this issue that this
It seemed all but assured that Ne- is history or still in play. If resolved, Text: JFED

tanyahu would find a way to get the I will share with you my thoughts on
needed two to three more commitments the likely policies of the new govern-
poached from other party winners. But ment; if not, election discussion will To: 332-22
by Wednesday, March 4, when 99% of continue.
the votes had been counted, the cer- Harold Halpern is a retired attorney
tainty was more measured. All suspect- living in Lakewood Ranch. He is a
ed defectors denied they would switch. board member of the American Asso-
If no change results from the re- ciation of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists,
maining 1% of uncounted votes, the and of the West Coast chapter of the
Right has 58 seats; the Center-Left, 40; American Jewish Committee.

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