Politics in the Shadow of Corona

Written by Hillel Fendel

Gantz (left), Bibi (right)

Though solidarity and unity is now the name of the game in every-day life in Israel because of the Coronavirus hardships, politicians and public officials often appear to be playing on a different field. The Likud and Blue-and-White parties continue to bicker, with the Supreme Court stoking the flames of the conflict.

At this rate, many believe that we are headed, absolutely incredibly, to a fourth national election in the space of just over a year.

Earlier this month, the Blue-and-White party was stymied from within in its efforts to form a government with Arab-party backing. This was effected by MKs Hauser and Hendel, together with MK Levy of Gesher, who refused to go along with the anti-Zionist scheme.

However, this has not stopped the left-wing coalition from using Arab support in other ways. For instance, they plan to vote on Wednesday to replace Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein with a member of Blue-and-White. This, despite the fact that the majority of non-Arab voters – that is, voters who do not wish to destroy Israel as a Jewish State from within – voted for Netanyahu and the parties of the nationalist/religious bloc.

Edelstein, for his part, says that the Knesset regulations allow him to schedule the vote for a new Speaker only after a new government is sworn in. The Supreme Court ruled that under the circumstances, the vote in question must be held immediately. Many nationalist MKs responded with justifiable outrage at the ruling. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) said that Chief Justice Esther Chayot is erasing the boundaries between the legislative and judicial branches. He likened the ruling to her taking over the Speaker's gavel and conducting the Knesset sessions herself.

On both sides of the political spectrum, the feeling is that chances of a national unity government are diminishing, and that a fourth election is looming. Both sides will have trouble negotiating for a unity government under the current circumstances: the Likud because Blue-and-White is setting "facts on the ground" in the Knesset in the way it is choosing the house committee leaders, and Blue-and-White because of the Likud members' sharp comments against it and against the Supreme Court.

An example of the irresponsible manner in which Blue-and-White is acting is in its designation of an Arab MK to head the Committee for Labor, Welfare and Health. "How can a party that includes members who endorse terrorism be given responsibility for a committee that oversees the rehabilitation of wounded IDF veterans?" asked Minister Betzalel Smotrich with incredulity.

And so, though many on the left-wing do not wish to see Netanyahu as Prime Minister any longer, they are pleased that it is he, and not the inexperienced Benny Ganz, who is running the Corona crisis. Even far-left Haaretz commentator Gideon Levy wrote as much in his column this week.

Keep in mind that Gantz has another three weeks in which to form a government, with a possible two-week extension. On the other hand, he could return the mandate to President Rivlin earlier, when/if he realizes he has no path to form a government.