Page 43 - Jewish News_may2021

COMMENTARY May 2021 43

A government or a fifth election? Israel’s election – what now?

By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
that holds them together is solely their srael went to the polls for the to form a coalition that can take control dates, the political parties, the prob-
desire to end Netanyahu’s reign. fourth time in the past two years. of the government. Currently, it looks lems facing Israel and the electorate.
They are competing with Net- IThe turnout of the electorate was like the man selected to form the gov- At the conclusion of the column, I rael’s future. We now wait to see the
anyahu to secure Yamina and Ra’am’s 67.2%, a drop of 4.3% since the third ernment will be Benjamin Netanyahu wrote these words: “When it comes to results of this election and whether he
votes. election one year ago. Instead of go- because he and the Likud Party are the an election in Israel, never bet against can achieve these goals for Israel and
To attract Yamina they will need to ing to vote, more than 100,000 Israelis top vote getters in this election. Bibi.” its future.
fulfill Bennett’s desire to be prime min- chose to visit the four new parks that It is time to take a closer look at Before this election, Netanyahu Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
ister. However, Yesh Atid, headed by were opened on Election Netanyahu and assess his stated, “Under my leadership Israel ing chair of the Robert and Esther
Lapid, won 17 seats and Yamina only Day. chance of remaining the can do what no other nation can.” That Heller Community Relations Commit-
7, presumptively entitling Lapid to be Those who did vote prime minister. At times, is his belief and that is his plan for Is- tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
the candidate. gave the most support to he has earned the sup-
A compromise idea has been float- Prime Minister Netanyahu, port of the public because Opinions printed in The Jewish News of Sarasota-
ed to resolve both the policy differenc- but he did not garner the the electorate entered the Manatee do not necessarily reflect those of
es among the opposition parties and 61 seats necessary to form polling sites and asked The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee,
the competing desires of Bennett and a government. The right- themselves, “Which can-
Lapid. The suggestion is that a coali- wing bloc is led by Likud, didate will best guarantee its Board of Directors or staff.
tion government be formed for a lim- joined by United Torah Ju- the security of Israel?”
ited period of two or three years with daism, Shas, the Religious The decision, more of-
Bennett serving for the first half of Party and, if Natalie Ben- Rabbi Howard A. Simon ten than not, was Benja-
time and Lapid the second half; and nett chooses to join the coalition, the min Netanyahu. At other times, voters FED
that the coalition agenda be limited to Yamina Party. That gives Netanyahu asked themselves, “Who is best able
adoption of a budget and implementa- 59 votes, still two short of his goal. He to deal with the leaders of the world we are
tion of an economic recovery program may look to the Arab Islamist Ra’am on behalf of the State of Israel?” The
from Covid with the status quo govern- Party to send him over the necessary answer, more often than not, was Ne-
ing all other issues. number to remain as the leader of the tanyahu.
Even if the compromise is agreed State of Israel. At the present moment, What prompted the voting public
to, Ra’am’s support is required. This there is no guarantee these numbers to give the majority of votes to Prime Educating Jewish Minds
might be rejected as taboo by New will materialize for the Prime Minister. Minister Netanyahu in this election?
Hope and Yisrael Beiteinu, both parties There is a possibility that a fifth Voters went to the polls remembering
of the right. election could be called for, but no one, that, thanks to Netanyahu, 5.2 million
The opposition parties will need in or out of government, wants this. The Israelis had received at least one dose
to decide whether ending Netanyahu’s Israeli public has had enough of elec- of the Pfizer vaccine, allowing them to our Federation is dedicated to educating Jewish minds — from Holocaust and civil rights
rule is more important than their differ- tions. They want a decision to be made, vote. Yeducation to Israeli history and advocacy through our Heller CRC, to reaching young children
ences. an individual to take leadership of the The question now is, can Netanya- and their parents through PJ Library, to an array of adult education offerings. We also take great
The bottom line, as I write, is that country, and a budget to be passed so hu again pull a rabbit out of the hat and pride in educating the interfaith community on Jewish history and antisemitism.
it is unknowable whether the political the economy of Israel can move in a put together a coalition allowing him to
game of chess will have a winner (sur- positive and productive manner. remain in office? jfedsrq.org • 941.371.4546
prise moves are possible) or if it ends The next step is for President In a prior column I wrote devoted
in a stalemate forcing an unimaginable Rivlin to name a party leader to attempt to this election, I dealt with the candi-
fifth election.
Harold Halpern is a retired attorney build. advocate.
residing in Lakewood Ranch. He is a
board member of the American Asso-
ciation of Jewish Jurists and Lawyers remember. support.
and of the West Coast Chapter of the
American Jewish Committee.
Bridges
We build bridges between people by visiting synagogues, churches and civic groups to make
presentations about Israel, antisemitism and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement
(BDS). In addition, we send clergy and community members on missions to Israel to
experience and learn about the land while forging friendships that deepen
and continue back home in Sarasota-Manatee.

Robert and Esther Heller ^ Builds Bridges
CRC ^ Advocates through Government Affairs

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^ Remembers the Holocaust

Outreach

Fighting antisemitism is an ongoing battle. We have CRC
Ambassadors ready and able to educate the community to
better understand what antisemitism looks like and how

to fight it alongside the Jewish community.

HELLER CRC’S MISSION
To build relationships within the
Jewish and non-Jewish communities

and to advance common interests
through education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC