Politics as Usual: Thoughts on the new government
A guest post from Alex Stein of falsedichotomies.com
Benyamin Netanyahu started the coalition negotiations desperate to avoid the mistake he made in 1996. Then, he formed what’s colloquially known as a narrow right-wing coalition with Shas, the National Religious Party, United Torah Judaism, and the now defunct Yisrael BaAliyah and the Third Way. The government barely lasted three years. From the outset, then, Bibi wanted to avoid a repeat of this scenario. With his cards on the table so early, though, did his rivals manage to make the most of the situation? Or has Netanyahu (for it is Netanyahu, now, with all the backbiting within the Likud) emerged triumphant?
At first, Netanyahu tried to form a national unity government with Kadima. Having won more seats in the Knesset, Livni’s party arguably had more legitimacy to form a government than Likud. This meant that Bibi had to at least be seen going through the motions of trying to form a government with her. But I think his attempt was genuine. He reasoned that, whatever ideological differences there may be between the different parties on the future creation of a Palestinian state, there’s near consensus between the major players that to establish one in the next few years would be folly. So why not build a national unity government on the basis of the relative consensus that exists on the more urgent issues of Iran and the economy?
Despite various late-night trysts, the negotiations with Livni failed. By the end, Bibi was wondering aloud what kind of naïve political advice his rival was getting. This is unfair. Livni might have sold out for a more egalitarian rotation-agreement (as opposed to the other variations she was offered, in which Bibi remained the first among equals), but since when was guaranteeing a strong opposition to the public considered politically irresponsible? By drawing a clear dividing line between Kadima and Likud – if only on the issue of Palestinian statehood – Livni has managed to show Netanyahu up for what he seems to be, which is part of the rejectionist camp. The world should take notice.
Meanwhile, Bibi ploughed on with securing the support of his ‘natural partners’ on the right. Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beytenu gave him his first major coup, but at a predictably steep price. Lieberman will be the new Israeli Foreign Minister, domestically the least significant position of Israel’s holy trinity of cabinet positions, but a cause for deep alarm in the international community, where he will be responsible for making the case for Israel. Given that Bibi is transparently in thrall to American power, and given the recent election of Obama, I’m surprised that Lieberman got the position. I understand the corruption charges against him mean the Treasury would be an irony too far, and that he lacks the military experience to qualify him for the Defence Ministry (although I’m in rare agreement with Moishe Yaalon’s suggestion that the Defence Minister should be lifted from an exclusively civilian background), but was this really the lesser evil? Or was he just hoping to pull the rug out from under Lieberman at the last moment by dramatically bringing in Kadima? Perhaps Lieberman will succumb to the charges being made against him, in which case solving the problem for Netanyahu once and for all.
In the end, though, Netanyahu turned to his old buddy Barak for a modicum of unity. This deal is being dubbed in some quarters as the Israeli equivalent of the Nazi-Soviet pact (despite the precedent of Dayan joining Begin in 1977 and Peres joining Sharon in 2001), so it’s worth being a bit more sober in our analysis. Labour’s dilemma demonstrates the impossibility of the Israeli system. We all know that Barak’s cynicism is barely concealed, that he’s generally interested in maintaining his status at all costs, and that he’ll zig-zag like a zapped Mario Kart buggy if the need arises. But even a broken clock is right two times a day; as a result we should have more sympathy for the choice that was laid before the Labour party.
The coalition agreement between Labour and Likud represents an outstanding piece of political bargaining on Barak’s part, although most of the credit needs to go to Histradut leader Ofer Deini. In returned for an unprecedented failure in the elections, Labour receives five cabinet posts, as well as important (and very un-Bibi like) policy commitments in the socio-economic sphere – NIS100 million for retraining people for new professions, NIS200 million for funding day-care for working women’s children, as well as an increase in pensions and a greater involvement in decision-making for the Histradut. It’s the dying explosions of the power of labour in this country, of course, but that doesn’t alter its significance. Nor does the fact that the treasury is effectively empty – budgetary promises are the name of the game for all the parties, no matter the economic reality. No wonder Lieberman was pissed off.
But should Labour have abandoned the country to the dogs, in the hope that the government would fall quickly, leaving Labour in a position to return strengthened a year or two down the line? Or were they right to join the government in order to protect the interests of millions of people up and down the country? History will tell us; in the meantime it’s important to take note that the Labour party is now little more than Shas for kibbutzniks.
It may still turn good for the Tsar. The presence of Labour in the government gives Lieberman slightly more legitimacy in the eyes of the world, while at the same time his voters are reminded that he was not given his proper place at the table, that they will have to push harder next time. Lieberman is in an envious position; he is both an indispensable part of the government and a potential agitator in the county at large. Sometimes it doesn’t have to be an either/or. Livni is now the strangest of opposition leaders, all alone, in charge of a party that remains dominated by Likudniks in all-but name, left with no other option than to turn left at a time when it’s considered dangerous to do so.
I’ll pass on the predictions regarding how long the government will last; events will no doubt determine the future. Netanyahu has completed his first mission reasonably successfully, and – dare I say it – maturely, at least given the circumstances. Far trickier tasks lie before him, and I’m cynical as to whether he has the ability to see them through. In the meantime, we should reflect on how long Israel can persist with this system in which it takes a month to form an unstable government and in which the interests of the nation (yes, I still believe there to be such a thing) are held hostage to the interests of a few. Politics as usual indeed…
Comments
| 29 March 2009, 1:07 pm |
I should have added that a Western supported coup against Hamas also helps Blears solve the Islamist/Terroriust problem because the taking out of Hamas by a Palestinian force will still make them mad and protest.
Then the govy’ turns around and says “But you said it was the I/P conflict that arouses you. Why are you now aroused by Palestinian Unity brought about by the Palestinian Authority under Abbas?”
Oh, we know. Its because they ALWAYS find reasons to hate us!
| 29 March 2009, 1:48 pm |
The Israeli system should be a warning to all people who place their faith in Proportional Representation.
| 29 March 2009, 2:47 pm |
Netanyahu-Barak agreement as a Soviet-Nazi pact? Come on…
You can be a bit more careful with your metaphors.
As if Israel haters need more ammo – why do you go ahead and supply it?
| 29 March 2009, 3:01 pm |
Incidentally, completely off-topic but I thought I’d mention it: A few weeks ago we were talking about the Hatikva, and somebody mentioned that it was the only national anthem in a minor key. I thought that was rather magnificent in a Woody-Allen-Jewish-stereotype sort of way, and couldn’t think of an exception. But yesterday I was watching the footie, England v. Slovakia, and discovered that the Slovak national anthem is in a minor key too. One in the eye for the Entity, eh?
| 29 March 2009, 3:41 pm |
“The sensible thing to do is allow a Fatah army to pass into Gaza and fight for a coup. Then we have a single negotiating partner.”
Ha! Why do you hate Fatah?
Lets face it they lost the coup against Hamas because they were incompetent and corrupt militarily, a second war would not change that.
| 29 March 2009, 3:50 pm |
Lets face it they lost the coup against Hamas because they were incompetent and corrupt militarily, a second war would not change that.
Unless they were backed by Israel and The Quartet with military and materiel help. I don’t like Fatah and the Holocaust denier Abbas but he’s a better alternative to Hamas. Israel is criticised that peace talks are stalling and yet we know that’s because there are no peace partners. At least backing Fatah to defeat Hamas is a step. We have been training and arming the Abbas elite squads for two years now. Surely there must be a purpose.
The only other strategy is to find another leader instead of Abbas and wait another generation.
Frankly, I couldn’t care less if Palestinians wait 20 years for a State. They can’t have one unless they renounce terrorism collectively.
They need a statement like “The War is Over”. If I/P was solved then we could move on to the next Islamist excuse and expose them for what they are.
| 29 March 2009, 4:08 pm |
Israel PROPER could not topple Hamas, but yet you think incompetent Fatah backed by Israel stands a chance? Besides I think Israel has learned her lesson on backing either Fatah or Hamas against each other, having pretty much built Hamas once.
As for the silly statement of the “The war is over” Again, delusional thinking as real peace is 90% related to land/sovereignty, 5% reparations, and maybe 2% terrorism.
| 29 March 2009, 4:21 pm |
Testing what?
| 29 March 2009, 5:17 pm |
Israel PROPER could not topple Hamas, but yet you think incompetent Fatah backed by Israel stands a chance?
Of COURSE Israel could have toppled Hamas if the UN hadn’t stepped-in to stop them.
Anyway, perhaps you missed a point. It also suits Israel not to defeat Hamas because its Hamas who spoil and stll the peace talks and while Israel might accept a Palestinian state it would like to do it to its own timetable.
As for the silly statement of the “The war is over” Again, delusional thinking as real peace is 90% related to land/sovereignty, 5% reparations, and maybe 2% terrorism.
Nope, the Palestinians don’t really want peace. They want a new launching pad for terror. No Muslim really tolerates Israel. Their stated aim is to liberate ALL of Palestine.
| 29 March 2009, 5:33 pm |
I am sorry what blue helmets fought the IDF? it seems like a weak excuse for not toppling Hamas, is not like they were given 2 days, it was more like a month or so.
That said I do agree that it is in the best interest for Israel to stall, Hamas is an easy scape goat, I hope Obama can see through this though, and there is evidence that he does.
| 29 March 2009, 5:47 pm |
Gene, The Jenin orchestra you featured a few threads ago has been told to disband BEACUSE it acknowledged The Holocaust.
Palestinian authorities disbanded a youth orchestra from a West Bank refugee camp after it played for a group of Holocaust survivors in Israel, a local official said on Sunday.
Adnan Hindi of the Jenin camp called the Holocaust a political issue and accused conductor Wafa Younis of unknowingly dragging the children into a political dispute.
He added that Younis has been barred from the camp and the apartment where she taught the 13-member Strings of Freedom orchestra has been boarded up.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074678.html
What chance peace with these Palestinians?
| 29 March 2009, 5:50 pm |
I am sorry what blue helmets fought the IDF? it seems like a weak excuse for not toppling Hamas, is not like they were given 2 days, it was more like a month or so.
Destroy Hamas is easy. You just massively attack then from the air. 300,000 dead but so are Hamas.
Slight moral dilemma there. Could have done it on the ground but would need a few more weeks as they were being careful over civilians.
| 29 March 2009, 6:19 pm |
Cipriano,
Don’t forget that Ha-Tikva’s melody is related to Czech folk songs (a similar tune is evident in Smetana’s Vltava).
| 29 March 2009, 6:20 pm |
Incidentally, completely off-topic but I thought I’d mention it: A few weeks ago we were talking about the Hatikva, and somebody mentioned that it was the only national anthem in a minor key.
The Turkish anthem is in a minor key too, and it’s a beautiful melody.
Continuing with the off-topics, Hatikva is plagiarized from Czech composer Bedřich Smetana’s tone poem Vltava.
| 29 March 2009, 6:22 pm |
“Israel PROPER could not topple Hamas”
It could do so if it wanted to – it’s simply weighing the benefit against the costs, both tangible and intangible.
| 29 March 2009, 6:30 pm |
Trust Busted to accuse Jews of plagiarising. He LIVES for Jew-hatred.
The tunes start similarly, but go off in different directions. Both are influenced by folk songs, which is a perfectly normal thing for composers to do, from Haendel to Bartok.
| 29 March 2009, 6:31 pm |
Here’s Olmert on Netanyahu:
“Netanyahu established Hamas, gave it life, freed Sheikh Yassin and gave him the opportunity to blossom,” he said, adding that the current political situation in the Palestinian Authority came about “because of the nonsense that was done while Netanyahu was prime minister.”
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1170359844280&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The Israelis supported Hamas to undermine Fatah, yet the Palestinians are the fanatics. It’s an upside-down world we’re living in.
| 29 March 2009, 6:36 pm |
HB – thank you for your information on national anthems, which was most welcome.
But you haven’t responded to parity’s post at 5.37 on the disbanding of the Jenin orchestra and the idea that Holocaust acknowledgement is a “political issue”. Please do.
| 29 March 2009, 6:42 pm |
Gene, The Jenin orchestra you featured a few threads ago has been told to disband BEACUSE it acknowledged The Holocaust.
Not at all. It was disbanded because the teenagers were apparently dragged to a performance with political overtones without their being fully aware of it.
While I don’t agree at all with the move, the youths seem to have been politically manipulated, and that was the reason cited for dissolving the orchestra.
| 29 March 2009, 7:10 pm |
Not at all. It was disbanded because the teenagers were apparently dragged to a performance with political overtones without their being fully aware of it.
“Palestinian wants to build a bridge between Palestinians and Israelis (Jews in this case). Totalitarian Nazi Regime called Fatah tears it down and punishes them”
By the SAME logic we should not talk to Palestinians because its political and ultimately it will reward them with a State for their terrorism while stealing land from The Jewish National home.
| 29 March 2009, 7:11 pm |
The only political decision I ever got right was to resign from the Labour Party the day after Barack was elected leader. This is a party bankrupt of ideas,of principles and above all of strategy.What the f..k is the point of destroying yourself because you want to protect the workers who refuse to vote for you ?!!!!
| 29 March 2009, 7:11 pm |
The only political decision I ever got right was to resign from the Labour Party the day after Barack was elected leader. This is a party bankrupt of ideas,of principles and above all of strategy.What the f..k is the point of destroying yourself because you want to protect the workers who refuse to vote for you ?!!!!
| 29 March 2009, 7:21 pm |
HB – thank you for your information on national anthems, which was most welcome.
Well, I was surprised at your assertion, since anyone who cares for national anthems SHOULD be aware of Turkey’s! It’s one of the few musically valuable anthems in the world. Here’s my ranking:
1. France
2. Spain
3. Poland
4. America
5. Israel
6. Britain
7. Turkey
8. Brazil (although too evidently plagiarized from The Barber of Seville)
9. The Netherlands
10. Japan
[/END OFFTOPIC]
| 29 March 2009, 7:30 pm |
Surprised not to see Russia’s in the list – it’s splendid. Also the South Africans are to be envied in having not one but two of the world’s most stirring national anthems.
| 29 March 2009, 7:55 pm |
Ha aretz sums up the peace initiative problem. The Arabs can’t even unite to support a peace initiative let alone Hamas and Fatah. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074571.html
| 29 March 2009, 8:17 pm |
Parity, I’ll quote from your link:
Will Iraq, which follows Iranian dictates, make peace with Israel just because of a peace agreement with the Palestinians?
If Iraq follows Iranian dictates, this means the American invasion was a failure, no?
| 29 March 2009, 8:43 pm |
i’m disappointed and hurt that HB hasn’t include O Canada in the top 10, but frankly amazed Hatikvah was #5. That must have been hard.
| 29 March 2009, 8:56 pm |
If Iraq follows Iranian dictates, this means the American invasion was a failure, no?
Off Topic!
| 29 March 2009, 8:57 pm |
Does the article’s author not realise he loses all credibility by reference to Richard Silverstein?
Leave Silverstein among the other house Jews over at the Guardian.
| 29 March 2009, 9:31 pm |
“The Israelis supported Hamas to undermine Fatah, yet the Palestinians are the fanatics.”
Will this penetrate Busted’s excuse for a brain? -
At that time, Hamas was not a genocidal terrorist organisation.
| 29 March 2009, 9:41 pm |
If Iraq follows Iranian dictates, this means the American invasion was a failure, no?
Off Topic!
Not as much as your bringing up the Jenin orchestra.
| 29 March 2009, 9:43 pm |
“Not at all. It [the Jenin youth orchestra] was disbanded because the teenagers were apparently dragged to a performance with political overtones without their being fully aware of it.”
Sorry folks – I didn’t see this post from HB-Not-the-sharpest-pencil-in-the-box before continuing a friendly conversation with him about national anthems.
“dragged” – where’s the evidence for that? Ever tried dragging teenagers? I have. It didn’t work.
And how can a performance for people in their 70s, 80s, 90s have “political overtones” Or are you saying that acknowledgement of the Holocaust is a “political issue”?
Any suggestion that this action of the PA stooges can possibly be justified in any way at all is disgusting. It’s not enough to disagree with it. The political power of those who did it – under no pressure at all – has to be undermined and disposed of.
There can only be a Palestinian state when there exists some responsible element capable of operating one. Otherwise the whole concept is pointless.
| 29 March 2009, 9:46 pm |
“If Iraq follows Iranian dictates, this means the American invasion was a failure, no?
Off Topic!
Not as much as your bringing up the Jenin orchestra.”
Yes, we know that you don’t want the Jenin orchestra brought up. Because it proves that there is no chance of any kind of Palestinian organisation worth a pitcher of warm piss.
| 29 March 2009, 11:50 pm |
This is one of the most pathetic pieces of writing I have seen on a supposedly serious topic in a long time.
It is the sort of essay I’d expect from an elementary school student:
“At first, Netanyahu tried to form a national unity government with Kadima. Having won more seats in the Knesset, Livni’s party arguably had more legitimacy to form a government than Likud. This meant that Bibi had to at least be seen going through the motions of trying to form a government with her. But I think his attempt was genuine”.
5th grade student version: “How I spent the summer”:
At first we went through the motions of having a nice picnic by the beach. Then the sun went down. This meant that the moon came out. But I think it was the genuine moon. And it was windy. And that’s how I spent my summer vacation. Da-de-da-de-da-de-da.
“This deal is being dubbed in some quarters as the Israeli equivalent of the Nazi-Soviet pact (despite the precedent of Dayan joining Begin in 1977 and Peres joining Sharon in 2001), so it’s worth being a bit more sober in our analysis”.
Oh, for gawd’s sake! “The Nazi-Soviet” pact!! Perhaps a little more like Joe Lieberman voting with the Republicans?
Pathetic. The amazing thing is that he has the gall to publish this as opposed to, for example, just reading PetraMB’s incisive analysis of the same issue on CIF.
| 30 March 2009, 12:46 am |
Any suggestion that this action of the PA stooges can possibly be justified in any way at all is disgusting.
In the competing I/P narratives, the expulsion of Arabs and confiscation of their property is set against the Jews’ sufferings during the Holocaust and their need to establish a secure homeland. In that context, an orchestra playing for Holocaust survivors can be seen as legitimizing the Jewish argument for Palestinian dispossession. The fact that the students were not aware of the political implications of their performance does not help.
Of course, none of this justifies the PA’s decision to disband the orchestra. However, this hardly qualifies as uniquely uncivilized behavior. For instance, five years ago an Israeli ambassador to Sweden destroyed a fellow Israeli’s work of art because he didn’t like its political content. The Israeli government failed to apologize, i.e. the defacing was officially approved.
| 30 March 2009, 5:16 am |
Philo-Semite – I was linking to the piece about Lieberman being nicknamed a Tsar, which happens to have been highlighted on Silverstein’s site. I wasn’t quoting any of his arguments, although I would be perfectly prepared to do so if I agreed with him and/or there was another compelling reason to do so. I think use of the term house Jew is pretty offensive, btw.
| 30 March 2009, 6:22 am |
In that context, an orchestra playing for Holocaust survivors can be seen as legitimizing the Jewish argument for Palestinian dispossession
Another lie that people perpetuate that Israel exists because of The Holocaust. It exists because the Mandate for Palestine 1922 posited the idea of the Jewish National Home with self-governance. Israel came about because the British decided to leave in 1948 and res 181 granted a two-state solution, but rejected by the Arabs who attacked the Jews.
MORE Jews fled to Israel by from Arabs countries than arrived from Holocaust Europe – that was because the British prevented their immigration.
Between 1948 and 1967 Jews only populated what was Israel. After the 1967 war the invading foreign armies of Egypt and Jordan were repelled from Gaza and West Bank and then Jews began to live in West Bank in accordance with the Mandate.
| 30 March 2009, 12:15 pm |
Akus – you can’t please everyone I suppose, although elsewhere I’m being compared to Shakespeare – http://similarfaces.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/a-libertarians-note-on-umm-al-fahm/
Meanwhile, if you want to stop with the rant and say something of substance, I’ll be happy to respond.
A
Abbas will use a new Israeli govt as a fig-leaf for the reality that he can’t bring a peace partner to the table. While Fatah and Hamas are enemies and Hamas refuse to acknowledge Israel there won’t be a Palestinian State until Hamas are wiped out.
The Gaza ceasefire guarantees no peace because Hamas will do it again.
The sensible thing to do is allow a Fatah army to pass into Gaza and fight for a coup. Then we have a single negotiating partner.