Bibi defeated. For Now. Maybe For Good.
Here is the current situation in Israel. We have been here before but this time it may actually be the end of Bibi's time as Prime Minister. He has been in office for 12 years and 3 other elections in the last 2 years have failed to dislodge him. It is not certain that he will be ousted this time either but it looks much more promising.
The Fourth Election was held a month ago and Bibi was offered the first chance to form a government because his Part, Likud, got more seats than any other party.
His time ran out last night and today the President of Israel, President Rivlin, offered the second chance to form a government to Yair Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid, a leftish party. This is exactly what happened last time, only Benny Gantz of the Blue and White Party got the nod and was unable, Just like Bibi to form a Leftish Party. Then, Benny and Bibi joined together and formed a government so unstable it fell apart in months. Bibi refused to share. No surprise. Hence, Election #4.
Bibi got the first opportunity. He failed. Today Yair Lapid steps up to the plate.
Yair Lapid has gone a different route. He asked President Rivlin, and got consent, to form a government but not be the Prime Minister. The prime Minister position will go to Naftali Bennett the current leader of the Yamina right wing Party.
(During the previous Election season I wrote on this blog that Ayelet Shaked, then the leader of Yamina, was looking to be the kingmaker. I was laughed at because not too many people were aware of her existence. Well, Ayelet has stepped aside and is Deputy to Bennett, who now may hold a winning hand. I was premature last time. And may be wrong here now as well.)
Lapid and Bennet have 28 days to put together a coalition of 61 Knesset member if they want to oust Bibi from his throne. They may just do it.
If they do, sad to say, not enough will change in Israel that I can tell. Bennet is a RW warmonger and unless he has more decency and humanity than I am aware of, the Palestinians will not fare significantly better.
What Will change is the lessening of power of the Orthodox Rabbis and I expect religious Jews to be subject to the same conscription policies of other Jews. Out of the synagogues and into the real world. Which in Israel involves military service for all citizens.
I also expect travel prohibitions on the Sabbath to ease or cease. Which means buses will be running 7 days a week.
Comments
Israel's Right Wing
is beyond hysterical. They will fight this with all they have.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/05/05/president-taps-lapid-to-form-govt...
Israel Hayom is the most read Israeli newspaper. Bibi did not have the majority either. But facts and perspective is not what they are selling.
Ha'eretz, the leftIsh, not left, leftish, rag is more cautious.
Here is the take from the sort of centrist, IDK, Jerusalem Post on line
"With government formation out of his hands, Netanyahu still a threat
Opinion: Although the ball to form a government is now in the 'coalition for change' court, the challenges facing those hoping to oust Netanyahu are great; though temporarily devoid of political powers, PM can still ignite fires."
"Rivlin tasks Lapid with forming a government
Following Netanyahu's failure to break more than two years of political deadlock, the Yesh Atid leader will have four weeks to form a coalition"
"PM slams adversaries after Lapid receives mandate
Netanyahu attacks Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, accusing them of misleading Likud party and voters by intending to form 'dangerous left-wing gov't' with Labor, Meretz and Yesh Atid"
Please add comments where you think I have missed something. I am not an expert on Israeli politics and do not wish to play one on this page.
NYCVG
Seeing Netanyahu end up in jail would be an added bonus.
One can only hope to see it happen.
Donnie & Bibi & Bojo
Three of the Unholy trinity of Imperialism.
Don is gone.
Maybe Bibi too. Jail is unlikely I think.
Bojo is facing a significant election tomorrow. If the SNP win a majority in the Scottish vote on Thursday, it will spell trouble for that crumbled empire.
All fascinating to watch.
NYCVG
Netanyahu is a dangerous man.
He even has his hand on our Constitution. The anti-BDS laws in the US are direct violations of our First Amendment rights, and no one is doing anything about it. He is friends with Pastor John Hagee, a bat shit crazy figure in the evangelical world, who has community buildings in Israel named after him because of Netanyahu. And our esteemed savior President Biden just recently remarked in response to the deaths in the stampede in Israel that we as a country are "bound" to Israel through our shared faith. Apparently Joe's deep concern for human rights stops at the border of Israel.
I could go on and on about the corrupt and sick relationship our country has with Israel, but won't. Suffice to say, I don't see much changing for the Palestinians with all the other politicians in Israel, and I think the Israeli people should be ashamed of their country's blatant violations of human rights.
Israel was founded on the premise that the Jewish people needed a homeland because of the years of abuse they suffered in the world. As a result, this homeland was founded on taking others' lands and homes, and continues to be founded on making others suffer as well. Maybe that's what we actually have in common as countries.
Really Yahweh and God ought to put a stop to this. HA!
"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin
Thank you
for this in depth comment.
I agree 100%.
Israel is an anti-democratic theocracy ruled by authoritarian dictators.
The new government, if it comes to pass, will be at best, a minor improvement.
NYCVG
BDS?
What does that mean? I never heard the term "anti-BDS law" before. I have no referent to what that means.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
The movement has been around for a while.
What the trend is, state governments are passing laws which prevent the protests. Also, employers are firing or refusing to hire BDS advocates, requiring various declarations of support for Israel, and laws are being passed to protect employers from these discriminatory practices.
https://bdsmovement.net
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Here is the ACLU discussion on this issue...
https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/congress-laws-suppressing-boycotts...
"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin
Good riddance!
The man (using the term loosely) destroyed all the good will towards his country by his fascist racist anti-democratic actions.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
The Israelis are doing to the Palestinians
What was done to them in Germany prior to WWII. Can they not see it is as wrong for them to do? My understanding was that Israel was originally settled by Holocaust survivors on land they purchased. For those survivors to turn around and do the same evil just boggles my mind.
A sad truth of human nature is that we do not learn
from past experience, and cannot see past our own blinkers.
How a minority
On reaching majority
And gaining authority
Hates a minority.
-- Piet Hein https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet_Hein_(scientist)
I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.
-- W.H. Auden (who didn't foresee just how horribly right his words would prove)
There is no justice. There can be no peace.