Try explaining a country where Netanyahu’s opponents won’t use their 67-seat majority, the left demands universal conscription, and the nationalist right opposes it. On excluding Arabs and waging more war, almost everyone agrees
“So let me understand. You want to tell me that the left is in favor of universal conscription, the right is against it, and the left is also against having Arabs in the government?”
Yes.
“Are you telling me that a clear majority – with 67 Knesset seats – could and doesn’t want to form a government?” Correct. “But wasn’t Netanyahu portrayed as the greatest existential threat to the country?” Yes, but the Arab parties are an even greater one.
“So now they’re going to focus on convening a commission of inquiry instead of deciding what to do about Gaza, Iran and southern Lebanon?” Yes. “And what happens to the Arab votes?” They’re thrown into the trash. In Israel, there aren’t 120 Knesset members but rather just 101. All of the others are invalid.
Still confused? Well, get this: “Are you saying that the Prime Minister’s Office, which is crawling with Qatari agents, is trying to cast suspicion on the Arab parties for allegedly receiving money from Qatar?” Right.
Hello? Is this a country? Sure, absolutely.
The most important topic in this election was Benjamin Netanyahu. The camp that won, the anti-Bibi one, appears to be forgoing its victory. The preference is four more years of Netanyahu over a government that includes Arabs. Next: The left is in favor of everyone being drafted into an army of occupation and genocide, while the ultra-nationalist and belligerent right is actually against that.
There’s more: Nearly the entire center-left is against a government with the Arabs, exactly the same as the right. And who’s in favor of more war? Everyone, but everyone. Always, but always.
If that weren’t enough, the first election after October 7, 2023, and the genocide didn’t deal with those two issues. As if none of it happened. That’s what it’s like in the land of make-believe. The pogroms in the West Bank also weren’t mentioned by either side, not the one that’s for them and not the one that’s against them.
Anything other than Netanyahu? Almost nothing.
The left mounted the barricades on the issue of a state commission of inquiry, as if it would uncover something that isn’t already known, and yet it’s considered a crucial issue by that camp.
The state of Netanyahu’s health also riles the left. Some of its loudest screamers want to see him healthy and well for another four years, hence their touching concern for his well-being.
They’re insisting that he be at his full strength, since if, heaven forbid, he weakens, he won’t be able to implement his policy. Other issues are unimportant and of no interest. Now go explain that to a foreign observer who doesn’t live in Israel. I’ve recently tried, to no avail. It’s impossible.
“You mean to tell me that a candidate from a Moroccan family who served in an ordinary ground unit in the army is viewed as someone representing the privileged, while an Ashkenazi candidate born in an upscale neighborhood who served in the army’s most elite unit and went to an elite American university is representing the oppressed and discriminated-against Mizrahi Jews?”
Definitely.
“And you’re telling me that the most cynical and, apparently, the most corrupt politician, Avigdor Lieberman, who is vying for the title of ‘biggest Fascist,’ is in the leftist camp?” Roger. “And is it true that he said that he wouldn’t sit in a government with almost anyone – such a naysayer – even during such an emergency period?”
Obviously.
“And is it true that among the 120 lawmakers in the new Knesset, there are 11 with a PhD or MD, and 9 of them are Arab?” That’s true. “Is it true that in the new Knesset there will be five reserve generals from the left, as well as a retired Shin Bet chief and a retired deputy head of the Mossad, while on the right, there are only two generals, neither of whom is from Likud?” That’s true as well.
“Don’t the international sanctions expected to be imposed in case Netanyahu returns to power frighten Israelis?” No. The fact is that Likud is the largest party by a significant margin. “Is it true that in the communities that were hit the hardest, in the north and south, Netanyahu received a majority of the votes?” That’s also correct.
“Even in Kiryat Shmona and Sderot?” There too, at twice the national average. “Is it possible that a prime minister who knew but did nothing, a person wanted in The Hague and who is on trial in Jerusalem, will continue in his position?” Certainly.
“Do Israelis, who know more than anyone else in the world, with every two people holding three opinions, even know which way they’re going?” Absolutely not, and they don’t seem to care.
“So, what’s going on here? Help me make sense of it all. Let me understand.” That’s Israel, stupid.
https://archive.li/Vhylm#selection-729.0-729.76
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