T. Belman. Rubin and I are on the same page. We see it the same way.
Loyalty to the people comes first, before loyalty to any one person.
There are four basic facts to face in analyzing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s situation at the present time:
Fact: The media is biased against Netanyahu.
Fact: The judiciary is biased against the Right.
Fact: The Left is celebrating the indictment.
Fact: Likudniks are loyal to their leaders.
Because of the above, it is understandable, even admirable, that many thousands turned out to demonstrate, in a show of support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, it is absolutely critical that Israelis not lose sight of the long-term goals that most right-of-center Israelis agree with:
- Declaring Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.
- Determination that the Iranian nuclear-military threat be ended.
- Determination that the next war or wars (finally) lead to absolute and indisputable victories for Israel.
These are national goals that will only be accomplished by a narrow right-wing coalition led by Likud that would include the religious parties and Liberman, not an impossible task if the two sides show flexibility for the sake of true unity. One of the problems is that, at this point, Liberman would not join a narrow right-wing coalition led by Netanyahu under indictment. Furthermore, whether justified or not, Netanyahu’s electability has been tainted by the indictment and polls are already indicating a [possibly short-lived] sharp loss in support, especially for the Likud, but also for the right-wing bloc.
Loyalty is admirable, but national goals come before individuals. If the Right continues to lose elections and fails to achieve majority coalitions, the above goals may not be attainable in the coming years, despite the enormous opportunities created by the extremely sympathetic Trump administration in Washington.
The latest Likud unity offer to Benny Gantz – that Netanyahu would have just the first six months as PM in a unity rotation, with the inexperienced left-of-center Gantz getting the next two years as PM, would be a disaster for the national camp.
A better option would be the recent suggestion in a letter signed by four well-known rabbis – a full pardon for Netanyahu from President Rivlin, in honor of his great service to the nation, for the purpose of healing the nation, in exchange for a graceful retirement by Netanyahu, who already has been the longest-serving prime minister in modern Israeli history.
Before the next election, primaries would be held in the Likud to select a worthy successor, who would then seek to increase the right-of-center voter base. As opposed to Netanyahu, who at election time has aggressively and consistently sought to take votes away from his more right-wing coalition partners, thereby stealing votes from the same right-of-center pie, a new Likud successor would have a better chance of pulling votes from the center of the political map. These independent or centrist voters may be genuinely looking for a new slightly right-of-center image to accompany genuine right-of-center policies, without the legal baggage. This could increase the voter base of the right-wing bloc, thereby breaking the recent deadlock. It would also likely bring Liberman back on board, thus putting the Right back into its natural majority position, which rightly reflects the views of non-Arab Israelis.
Netanyahu has much to his credit and legacy – a roaring free-market economy, diplomatic accomplishments second to none, and a remarkable common touch that he has gradually developed over the years. But the country comes first, and the need for a stable right-of-center coalition is critical to meet the current challenges facing our nation. Arranging an honorable retirement for Netanyahu would be a better option than keeping him as PM for six months followed by two years of Gantz.
The last, and highly intriguing possibility that has been proposed is a bill in the Knesset that would break any future deadlock by providing for the direct election of Prime Minister. The winner would receive an additional twelve seats, to be proportionately divided among the member parties of his coalition. This option would provide for a stable majority coalition, and if Netanyahu remains Likud chairman after primaries and wins the direct election, but eventually has to leave office due to a trial, an internal Likud vote can determine a replacement. This may be the best option of all, leading to a stable right-of-center coalition. Of course, there is the possibility that Gantz could win in a direct election, but in either event, the people will have spoken
David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of the new book, “Trump and the Jews”. Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, established after he and his then three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack. He can be found at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com
@ Edgar G.:
Sorry- I should also have added Caroline, lately really ferocious, and Martin Sherman who has finally wasted fewer words than usual, in putting the situation exactly as it is in an exemplary article ..
TED- Why didn’t you publish Dov Fischer’s op-ed from Arutz. I read it this morning. He has everything in the fight place and is really the only commentator who has got it exactly right…in my opinion. He has all the facts, almost in documentary manner, to such a degree that he should,be called as a witness. (figuratively speaking).
@ Ted Belman:
You seem to be thinking only of the short term. Yes, it’s VERY important to get those 61 seats. But it’s far more important as to who gets them, and what they do with them. Gantz and Co, even without knowing anything about them other than what we have read and seen in the past…would be total and utter flops, and a probable danger to the country. Yet you have been strongly advocating for just that. That’s pushing pragmatism to the extreme.
Every party has waverers, and there is no guarantee, if the right wing is sticking solidly with Netanyahu. that they will not trickle back to their rightful place. You are too much on board about secularism. A secular Israel would become just another country. as the Reform guys always want it to be. It’s the Haredim, the religious core which keeps Judaism alive, and which has preserved us. Without them, Judaism would have vanished hundreds of years ago and would be only mentioned in the history books. I’m telling you this, although you know it better than I.
You, and others, bestow (faint) praise on Netanyahu for his achievements…as if anyone could have done the same. But, we know, at least I know that he has special qualities which are needed now. that others have not, so far, shown..
I am convinced that Mandelblit deliberately chose this very time to make his move to destroy him, and (most likely) Likud also. We have no idea as to what’s driving him. Not justice certainly. The Justice system is corrupt in every part, and we are seeing a perfect example of that.
Maybe I am going off-track, and should be thinking only of those 61 seats…..??
You know that I am not religious, just a Jew. And I see as far through a brick wall as anyone else. The wrath of the country should be turned against Lieberman and Mandelblit, and you should be helping to do it. And, talking of Lieberman, his “cover all” attitude and demands of the different varieties of Haredim only serve to divide the country. They are being driven into a corner, which leaves them more fixed in their positions. they really BELIEVE, which is what average seculars don’t seem to understand.
I’m sorry to say that Israeli people, and Jews generally, are united ONLY when war erupts. At other times they are so contentious, that one wonders how we ever survived our historical vicissitudes.
Just my opinion, .
As David Rubin said,
Reality check says even if one loves Bibi without reservation, he is in serious serious trouble. So how can the right-wing achieve its important goals post Bibi.
Saar, had the right idea just say it is time to figure out how achieve a government. He has the capability to lead the Likud and by being brave and bold poliically perhaps he has what it takes to replace Bibi as the leader of the Likud and right-wing.
I am noticing when watching the news Kan 11 and when communicating with my friends who are mostly right-wingers (many being Likudniks) more are getting used to the idea that Bibi is going and it would best to replace him now. The trend in the handful of polls seems to indicate the same thing as Saar gets larger numbers in polls.
@ Ted Belman:
Ted Belman Said:
Ganz and Lapid wouldn’t just stall. They would stop it, permanently, if they could. And, LIeberman believes in land swaps. Look at their records! Moreover, I can see one possible justifiable reason for Bibi to stall and implement settlement at a snails pace. He is single-mindedly focused on stopping Iran, as he should be, and he has to give Saudi Arabia and the other Sunni Arab states who are aligned with Israel against Iran, now, a fig leaf to wave at their antisemitic constituents, that all hope is not lost of destroying Israel by degrees, some day, if not now. In any case, he is a once in a life-time master strategist who has kept Israel safe and kept leaks from stopping key missions against Iran. Bennett is the right person to be defense minister. Shaked should finish the work she started as Justice Minister in restoring the courts to their proper place, and Bibi is indispensible as PM. Just think of the disasters who came before. I wonder if Sharon abandoned Gaza, not only because of the Bush letter, but because he thought he could make similar legal troubles go away. The left mostly lost legislative power since 1977 but more than made up for it by taking over the legal Deep Schtetl and intimidating the right into compliance.
For example:” Israel Resilience party leader Benny Gantz was lashed by right-wing parties on Wednesday after appearing to praise the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and saying its “lessons” should be “implemented in other places.”
He also said Israel needed to find a way to end its “control” over the Palestinians.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/gantz-positive-on-gaza-disengagement-in-first-interview-drawing-rights-ire/
@ Ted Belman:
Every newer poll shows Saar gaining. In polling it is the trend that counts. Also the block keeps growing a bit.
Also the latest poll when asking who is best suited to be PM between Gantz, Bibi
and Saar. Saar came out on top. He has had the political courage within the Likud to take on Bibi. There are few others who wanted to do this but did not have the political courage.
Edgar G. Said:
Netanyahu has done a lot for Israel which includes, building a huge economy and taking on Iran and Obama. But there are also some negatives one of which is that he has promised housing in Judea and Samaria but fell short in delivering. He also allowed tens of thousand of Illegal Arab housing there and has done nothing to remove them. Equally important he failed to get UTJ and Shas to make a deal with Liberman. Also Netanyahu is a big supporter of King Abdullah and doesn’t favour his overthough pursuant to the Jordan Option.
Now for me the bottom line is who will increase the Right Wing bloc to over 60 seats. This is more important than supporting him for the sake of supporting him when it prevents getting 61 seats. Netanyahu with his coming indictments and the ill will from many Israelis, seems to be more negative than positive for the right. I think its time for new blood and new initiatives.
I think it is important to move the social contract bar in favour of the secular. This is necessary for long term peace and stability of the right bloc hold on power. That’s why I keep supporting concessions to Liberman.
If Lieberman was to have a heart attack tomorrow will the state fall apart? It seems everything revolves around him. Time to tell him and treat him as a nobody. Less seen and heard the better for all.
So long and farewell it wasn’t good knowing ya.
I totally agree with every post on this article except that of Bear, which although showing good points , is basically a YES for the article.
As for Ted, I’m more and more surprised at his attitude. But never mind. Sebastien put it the most vividly. I say, that to support Netanyahu through all this unreal crap, is a DUTY for every concerned citizen. If the country comes first-and I don’t deny that it does- then, because the country NEEDS Netanyahu MORE now than ever before, to support him is supporting the country.
This is not always the case where a popular leader is involved. We cannot say that Netanyahu IS popular throughout, he is not, but that he IS needed right now and for the foreseeable future, to be at the helm of the Jewish Sate.
Every attempt to push forward a successor, has been a lamentable failure. The truth is that there isn’t one….At this time. The talents that he has, seem elusive to others.
So, Ted, and Bear, you should just take it with a swallow of coffee, to wash it down. Concentrate your efforts on castigating Lieberman, Mandelblit and his cabal, who have been the sole cause of all this mess.
The concept of “pardoning” someone who has not yet been convicted of a concocted crime is obscene and sickening. What self-respecting person could support such a crawling away from justice and the rule of law. Jews are subject to self destruction there is no doubt of that. And…not the least…cowardice..”shtetl” mentality, as Sebastien highlighted yesterday.
How right he is.
THis article,, and indeed , of course, the whole filthy process, is shameful to the extreme. MY opinion, and it will never change, even if the PM IS found guilty…I’m being “imaginative” here, as we all know that he was found guilty already years before the indictment was handed out. It just remained for the appropriate and most ruinous time to publicise it.
@ Sebastien Zorn: I agree completely Sebastien. In addition to all of your points, there is an even more compelling reason why Bibi should refuse to resign, and should even refuse to leave the Prime Minister’s residence if “fired” by Mandelblit and/or the Supremes.He should lock the door to the police if they come to drag him from his office, and only leave the building Over the years, the judicial-prosecutorial branch of government has forced the resignation of numerous ministers in addition to Bibi by means of phoney allegations. According to Caroine Glick, and her statements on this are confirmed by my own memory as a lifelong reader of the English-language Israel press, a total of three highly qualified, respected, and absolutely honest lawyers who were either serving as ministers of justice, or had been nominated for the post, were forced to resign or prevented from taking office by completely false charges. In each case, the judge quickly threw out the charges and even reproved the prosecution for indicting these highly qualified attoneys in the first place. In each case, the three ministers/nominees had spoken out about the need to reform Israel’s judicial prosecutorial system shortly before they were indicted!
It is this pattern of judicial-prosecutorial interference in Israeli politics, which has left a serioes of prime ministers, other cabinet ministers and the Knesset almost powerless, and has largely deprived the state of its democratic character, that Bibi as a matter of principle should refuse absolutely to cooperate with–even if it makes him look bad or become unpopular in the process. While no individual is indispensible in the Prime Minister’s office, changing the current system of absolute and highly politicized rule by the judiciary is Israel’s absolute priority. Among other things, Israel’s national security is absolutely dependeant on this system of government being changed and democracy being restored. No future Prime Minister, whether Bibi or anyone else, should be subject ever again to harassment by unelected judges and lawyers, who abuse their power to bring criminal charges against politicians as a means of depriving them of the ability to govern.
Public priority Number 1 for Israel should be a depoliticized, nonpartisan judiciary and prosecutor’s office with only carefully limited powers. If Bibi has the courage to make himself a “martyr” to this cause, it will be to his credit. If he resigns under pressure of a politicly motivated frame-up, as is all to likely, it will be a direliction of duty on his part, and will bring him further disgrace.
Bibi should not leave the Prime Minister’s office until physically ejected from it by the police. And he should leave the residence only when the police carry him out of it under armed escort. In the long run, that will help the Israeli people realize that they must do something to limit the powers of this unholy triad of judges, government lawyers and senior police officers.
I concur with the article as a rationale approach and a perspective from the big picture.
Liberman in fact today has indicated on Israeli radio he would now join a right wing coalition if the Haredi parties (UTJ/Shas) were persuaded to make concession on religion/state issues. I am highly skeptical that they are at all willing.
If they were wise they would be cause these changes are coming anyway if the Gantz/Lapid rule the roost. They likely will be less favorable to their perspective.
Rational and big perspective also after the 63 page indictment has been filed. Case 4000 actually appears to be very strong. Disclaimer, I am saying this without hearing the testimony or cross-examination, the prosecution has made a strong bribery case. I am aware the vast majority of commentators on this site, do want to hear this but that is how it currently looks.
So, it really makes sense to follow the advise of David Rubin as written in this article.
You don’t change horses in mid-stream and you don’t change commanders in chief in the middle of a war unless they are screwing up, especially when the opposition is appeasement minded and incompetent. This is like replacing Grant with McClellan instead of the other way around. The most important thing for the nation is that Bibi be exonerated of these bogus made-up charges, stay in office with a narrow right wing government for the forseeable future, and that the Deep Schtetl led by Mandelblit, in this case, go down to a well-deserved defeat. Polls indicate, incidentally, that Likud would lose many seats without Bibi. All of these demands are just demands that the right wing self-destruct “for the good of the nation.” A risible demand, to say the least from these cowardly, highly partisan, self-serving idiots. I hope Bibi and the Likud, which he is projected to win the primary in, handily, hold their ground, come hell or high water.
Belman
You agree with this nonsense! of course you do!
Another alternative and the true one is:
First they pay off Netanyahu and say he is a great fellow but out of politics
But the praise will soon stop
Then later down the line they will assassinate him
Remember that in 1927 the Stalinists came and forced Trotsky and his family into internal exile.
Then in 1929 it was into total exile and into a Turkish Island Prinkipo
Then in 1940 the Assassin.
I hope that Netanyahu has nothing to do with this tripe as expressed above by Rubin and Belman. At the very least he will defend his honour and honour is all important.