Page 35 - Jewish News_January 2020

COMMENTARY
Formation of Israeli government remains uncertain
By Harold M. Halpern
n April 9, 2019, elections religious involvement in daily lives of
were held for the 120-member Israelis, differences over whether much
OKnesset. Never in the history of the West Bank should be incorpo-
of Israel has any party won a major- rated into Israel proper, social needs,
ity. However, the parties were always the authority of the Supreme Court and
able to negotiate an agreement for the protection of democracy. The fear is
required 61 votes to designate a Prime that these divisions may lead to another
Minister and a government.
However, in April, the 61 votes
couldn’t be nego-
tiated. This was
the first time there
was a failure of
negotiation. The
Knesset dissolved.
A new second
election was called
for September.
Harold Halpern Israelis elect-
ed their Knesset on September 17,
2019. Very soon after the election, we
knew the results. The Right group of
parties, led by Benjamin Netanyahu,
head of Likud, had 55 votes. The Cen-
ter-Left, led by Benny Gantz, head of
Blue-White, had 44 votes. The Israeli
Arab coalition (the Joint List) had 13
(10 of which they said would be voted
for Gantz), and Yisrael Beiteinu led by
Avigdor Liberman had eight votes.
In both my recent monthly columns
in this paper, and in my columns in the
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, I wrote of
the disparate positions of the parties
but felt that the publics distaste for a
third election and the critical social and
existential needs of the country would
push the parties to a unity coalition
government.
As I write this column on Novem-
ber 25, there has been no success.
Netanyahu tried but failed to get
the required 61 votes. Next, Gantz
tried and failed. Netanyahu and Gantz
agreed to rotate as Prime Minister but
Netanyahu demanded he go first. At
the time, Netanyahu was under inves-
tigation for crimes. Gantz refused to sit
with a Prime Minister under investiga-
tion.
Liberman had the key but he re-
fused to vote for either Gantz or Netan-
yahu, and only for a coalition of Right,
Center-Left and his party.
There is one last gasp to form a
government. Any 61 Knesset members
may designate a Prime Minister. They
have until mid-December to do this.
But from where commeth the votes?
It’s unlikely any member of Center-
Left, Yisrael Beiteinu or Joint coalition
will sign up for Netanyahu.
However, there is a new consider-
ation. Netanyahu has now been pub-
licly notified that he will be charged
with three crimes, namely: accepting
a bribe, fraud and breach of trust. This
has led to a stirring within his party and
a demand for a primary within Likud
to elect its leader. If a new leader were
elected, Gantz will join a coalition and
a government would be formed. Ne-
tanyahu has agreed to a primary but
for a time after mid-December when
another and third election must be
fixed. Any change in leadership after
mid-December will not avoid the elec-
tion. So the only possibility is if there’s
enough pressure to change the primary
date or if there’s an act of courage from
a breakaway from a group of Likud to
vote for Gantz. Not likely.
If the last gasp effort to form a gov-
ernment fails, a third election will take
place in March. In the interim, Netan-
yahu remains as Prime Minister as the
holdover Prime Minister. He doesn’t
have to resign except if he is convicted,
and he doesn’t need to take a leave of
absence. The outcome of a third elec-
tion may shed no more light on form-
ing a new government. Netanyahu has
indicated he will run again, fully ex-
pecting to be running as the reelected
Likud leader.
The inability to agree to a coalition
represents not only the desire for power
but also the divisions in Israel society:
January 2020 35A
uncertain third election result. ney living for 12 years in Lakewood
My hope remains that by the time Ranch, is a board member of the Amer-
of my next column, a way will be found ican Association of Jewish lawyers
to rise above politics and that I will re- and Justices, and a board member of
port courageous steps taken to untie the the Sarasota Chapter of the American
Gordian knot. Jewish Committee.
Harold M. Halpern, a retired attor-
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