ISRAEL cannot allow a split, cannot indulge in internal disputes, especially if they do not have a rational or ideological justification. Yet, the latest elections confirm the quagmire from which the country has not been able to emerge for two years: the final count of the votes shows the clear division into two camps, an almost perfect split in two halves. The gap between those who support a new mandate for Netanyahu and the voters driven by a strong visceral aversion against him who are unwilling to see him as prime minister again is less than one percent. This is the result that four elections in two years repeatedly confirm. Netanyahu does not get a majority, it is impossible to form a government and the danger of fifth elections persists.
Israel elections, head to head in exit polls. Likud first party, alliances puzzle remains
by Sharon Nizza
This is unbelievable, because in the last six months Netanyahu has performed a miracle from which every Israeli now benefits, which it is no coincidence that the internal world looks at as a case study: over fifty percent of the population is already immunized with the second dose of the vaccine. The virus was defeated in this country. The streets are crowded again, people are hugging again.
Such a result would have led to electoral approval for a leader in every country. While in Israel, it did not affect even one percent of the votes cast.
Israeli bombing of Gaza: retaliation after the launch of a rocket on the day of the vote
I know that in Italian they say “Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you want”, but in Israel it is the opposite: Pesach (the Jewish Passover), and the Seder, the traditional dinner that opens the feast that begins this Saturday evening, are the moment in which all families gather to celebrate and read together the millennial texts that evoke the Exodus from Egypt. The Jewish New Year is also important, but it is more common to spend it “with whoever you want”. Last year, the lockdown prevented families from sitting together, this year normality resumed its course and, it must be said, thanks to Netanyahu. An incredible result to which is added another of historical significance: the Abrahamic Agreements with peace between Israel and four Muslim countries, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco. Not to mention the Israeli economy which remains strong despite the crisis.
The secret war of the seas between Iran and Israel
by Gianluca Di Feo
All this has changed nothing for Israeli voters: in practice, the country is confirmed as being split into two equal parts. The results of the polls reflect a situation governed by irrationality. In fact, there are no substantial ideological differences between most of the parties, if not around the question “Bibi, yes or no?”, Marginal compared to the great challenges that Israel must face. The stalemate is caused by an emotional way of thinking, gut rather than head, that dictates the fate of Israeli politics today.
This is a division that existed well before Netanyahu’s legal proceedings began. The trial against him is based on charges that many jurists consider inconsistent: according to the prosecutor’s office, he is accused of having received champagne and cigars from friends in exchange for personal favors, of having requested and received media coverage on an information site in exchange of financial concessions for the telecommunication company Bezeq (same ownership of the site), as well as having had a conversation with the editor of a newspaper to reach an agreement that would have facilitated the newspaper over the competition, again in exchange for positive coverage – a an agreement that did not, however, go through according to the accusation itself.
Elections in Israel: now the ace could be the Arab party of Mansour Abbas
by Sharon Nizza
If Netanyahu were to be sidelined now, it would be as if Churchill, after defeating the Nazis, had lost the election in England.
My grandfather, Ben Zion Meir Chai Ouziel, born 140 ago in Jerusalem, was Israel’s chief rabbi during the period of the British mandate and the founding of the state. Before the Great War, under the Ottoman Empire, he had been the chief rabbi of Tel Aviv.
Upon his death, he left a spiritual testament for the people of Israel, which contained among other things a request to future generations: to maintain the unity of the people. “Division and splitting are the most dangerous enemies. Maintain and strengthen unity because this is how you will strengthen yourselves in courage and audacity. And repel all the destructive forces that surround us to strangle and annihilate us and erase the name of ‘ Israel and its faith from the earth. Eliminate all elements of division and controversy from our camp and our state, and present elements of peace and unity in their place. ”My grandfather died in 1953, when the State of Israel had just five years. When, as an adult, I read this text, I was surprised. What did he mean by lack of unity? Where did he see it? Why did it worry him so much? I never related to this paragraph except as nice words, but entirely But they were far-sighted. Unity is important to every nation, but in the case of Israel, the rupture can be devastating.
Controversy and divisions characterize every healthy society and have always existed in Israel, but the current situation paralyzes and damages the country. A change could be seen if the parties of the opposing factions put the good of Israel before the egos of the leaders and form a broad coalition. Because the ideological differences are in fact non-existent.
Translation by Sharon Nizza
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