T. Belman. But the pressure to engage in the peace process will come from UTJ, Shas and Kaluna in addtion to coming from the opposition and the EU and US.
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But despite the prime minister’s backing, proposed amendments to cut the Supreme Court down to size are extremely unlikely to pass through the Knesset. Kahlon’ coalition agreement with Netanyahu grants him power of veto over any such legislation; even if he doesn’t exercise it, he can merely abstain – along with the other nine members of the Kulanu faction – denying Shaked and Netanyahu a majority. Shaked will try and make life hell for the Supreme Court, but her chances of achieving any lasting change in the legal edifice are exceedingly slim.
Uri Ariel – the third Habayit Hayehudi lawmaker to snag a ministry this week – will also find it extremely hard to change the situation on the ground. Ariel is the new agriculture minister, but – more importantly – he’s also the minister in charge of the Settlement Division, which funnels funds into the West Bank. Yes, he will build roads and public buildings and find other ways to benefit his settler constituency, but he won’t be capable of delivering what they really want: homes. Planning authorizations across the Green Line will remain tightly held by the Prime Minister’s Office, and while Bibi is not interested in ever establishing a Palestinian state, he has consistently built fewer homes in the settlements annually than any of his predecessors. Crucially, he has not green-lighted in the last six years new settlements and neighborhoods – only extensions. He doesn’t need the hassle of more diplomatic tension than he already has with the Americans and Europeans. That doesn’t mean, of course, that he’s anxious for any kind of diplomatic breakthrough either.
“I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell.” – Harry S. Truman
Shaked’s first priority is to make a lasting change in the minds of the Israeli people. She must convince them that the left’s monopoly rule over supreme court undermines the cause of justice by challenging and bringing attention to every unjust and anti-Zionist decision they make. As this is done it will become increasingly possible to make a lasting change in the legal edifice. I pray she has good success. Wars are generally not won in a day.