Page 40 - HaMizrachi #26 Tu Bishvat USA 2021

THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND ISRAEL INSIGHT

Steve Kramer

ISRAEL’S FAST-APPROACHING ELECTION

A Short Primer

srael recently announced its fourth the right side of the political spectrum. brought the world’s attention to Iran’s
election in two years, following three According to the latest Jerusalem Post nuclear weapons development, secured
Idysfunctional governments in a row. poll, the (left) Labor party – which ruled peace treaties with four (and counting)
Unlike in the US, if the state budget is Israel for decades – might fail to win Arab countries, and led Israel to be
not passed within a certain amount of a single seat in the next Knesset. The foremost among all Western nations in
time (it wasn’t), the government falls. left could be represented by only 18 vaccinating its citizens.
This is but one way of several that the seats in the 120-member Knesset, and
government can dissolve itself before its that would be mostly due to the United Although the election is on March
four-year term finishes. Arab List, augmented by the tiny, far- 23, it’s too early to make predictions
Another difference from the US is left, Meretz contingent. Another two from inexact polls. (In Israel election
that here there are not just two major parties of observant and ultra-orthodox campaigns are conducted in months,
political parties, but many. No party Jews usually join with the right-wing, not years like in the US.) There is only
has ever won a majority of the voters. but might be excluded this time. a short time before the various parties
Therefore, coalition governments This time around, center and right must submit their party lists to the
consisting of numerous parties are the election authorities in early February.
rule. In past decades, either Labor or parties, without Likud, may total more We expect more tumult on the part
Likud have usually been the largest than 60 seats, leaving Bibi out of a job of current politicians and political
party, requiring many disparate parties and out of the ruling coalition. The latest wannabes, the latter including retired
to join a coalition to achieve a majority polls show a former Likud member, IDF generals/chiefs of staff. Some of
of 61 MKs. Gideon Saar, heading the new, second- the generals serving as MKs may quit,
largest party behind Likud. There is the leave their party for another, or even
Now, after three previous elections in possibility that other party members form their own new parties. Tel Aviv’s
which Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu of may opt-out of Likud, prompting the incumbent mayor just threw his hat in
Likud became Prime Minister, there remaining members to push Bibi aside the ring. Whatever the result of this
is a real possibility the mold will be to allow Likud to join its ostensible allies election, Israelis can only hope for a
broken. Bibi has already served as Prime on the right, sans Bibi. (However, early functioning government to serve its full
Minister more years than any other, polls tend to be inaccurate.) four-year term. Stay tuned…
eclipsing David Ben-Gurion for that
title. And he is currently on trial with Bibi Netanyahu has failed to form a An earlier version of this article appeared on
three indictments against him, which successful, functioning government israelseen.com.
– if found guilty – could result in jail. after three serial elections. These were
prompted by his decision to prematurely
Consequently, Bibi must divide his dissolve the previous government two
time between running the government years ago. It’s tempting to believe that
and defending himself in court. Many Bibi is following a long line of successful
people, including me, believe this task heads of state who lingered on past their
is too much, even for an accomplished “sell-by” date, failing to leave office
politician still thought to be the most at the top of their game and thereby
qualified leader by a plurality of Israeli diminishing their legacies.
voters. Consequently, breakaway
politicians from various parties are However, Bibi is still the politician most Steve Kramer grew up in Atlantic City and
opening up possibilities of a government Israelis prefer to be Prime Minister. His moved to Israel from Margate, NJ in 1991
that excludes Bibi. historic leadership has brought Israel with his family. Since making aliyah, he has
into the 21st century, made Israel one written more than 1100 articles about Israel
Israeli voters are overwhelmingly on of the world’s most powerful nations, and Jews.

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