On October 23, Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz was asked to form a government by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. This was after an initial failed effort at forming a governing coalition by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, leader of the Likud Party, in the weeks prior. Gantz’s effort could take the form of a unity government as Rivlin recommends, a majority governing coalition, or even a minority government.
The formation of a new government is considerably complicated by the fact that Netanyahu is under the shadow of indictment on three charges by Israel's Attorney General, the most serious being that of bribery. These charges may be formally leveled as early as November. Up until very recently, Gantz has refused to join a unity government, in which Netanyahu would take turns serving as prime minister, when the latter could be indicted while in office. No Israeli law requires an indicted prime minister to step down.
However, beginning last Wednesday evening, Gantz surprised many observers by stating that indeed he is now willing to serve in a unity government with Netanyahu. However, he reportedly wants a written commitment from Netanyahu that if indicted, he will take a leave of absence as prime minister until the legal matters resulting from his indictment are resolved. This would allow Gantz to become prime minister much earlier, though Netanyahu would have had the first turn.
Moreover, much to many people's surprise, Gantz apparently has realized that he has arrived at a unique moment of opportunity in which he can portray himself before all Israeli citizens -- Jewish and Arab -- as someone trying to unite a society riven with divisions. Compared to Netanyahu's blatantly divisive efforts to create an “us vs. them” rift within Israeli political society, Gantz comprehends he must be the peacemaker and unifier at a moment in Israel's history when nothing less will do.
Upon receiving Rivlin's request to form a government, Gantz telephoned leaders of potential coalition partner parties that earned seats in the new Knesset in the September elections. This included the Joint List of four Arab parties, not only obvious partners on the left and right. Though this may seem a pro forma effort to reach out, Gantz evidences a political instinct that now is a moment in Israel’s history when he can achieve far more than at any time in the past.
Rather than form a government via expediency, backroom deal-making, and promises to specific parties that will only damage larger Israeli society in the long run, Gantz, at least in these early days of governing coalition formation efforts, realizes Israel is at a point where he potentially can make history. After over 70 years of the State of Israel's existence, now may well be the time for Israel to demonstrate itself as a society of the deepest virtues, which are of magnanimity, forgiveness and inclusion, based on the principle of humility.
It's widely assumed that Yisrael Beiteinu, the party led by Avigdor Lieberman with eight Knesset seats, is in the position of kingmaker. But Lieberman has been sly and careful not to ally with either Netanyahu or Gantz until either one cedes to his terms, which could adversely affect how Israel will treat its ultra-Orthodox in the years ahead. So while Gantz is trying to form a governing coalition in a viable manner, he also realizes that political decisions made today can have very undesirable consequences in the months and years ahead.
Although Gantz spent almost his entire career in the Israeli Defense Forces, most recently as Chief of Staff, there is a certain virtue to his being a political neophyte in Israeli politics. There is almost an innocence to his efforts, which comes across as genuineness and sincerity. His key support leadership in the Blue and White Party, all political pros with years of experience, have done their homework to warn or protect Gantz about the vicissitudes he may face in trying to form a governing coalition, particularly in warding off the many and veiled maneuvers that will come from Netanyahu. (continued on page 2)
The Joint List Should Join the Government
Andrew Wilson October 2, 2019
The current electoral impasse in Israel may be disheartening to some, but there is one group, long an outsider to Israeli politics, to which it also offers an unprecedented opportunity: The Joint List. We of the Citizens Proposal want to extend an invitation to Ayman Odeh and the Joint List to help the party of its choice to form the governing coalition in Israel. Whether it is with Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party or with Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud, the Joint List has a unique opportunity to advance the interests of Arab Israelis by joining the government. Although it would be a challenging circumstance for the Jewish parties that welcome them into their midst, there are even advantages for Israel if the Arab parties can serve in government.
I know there are many good reasons why the Arab parties have stayed out of the government of Israel. The way Israel has been treating their Palestinian brothers and sisters has been disgraceful. Arabs are discriminated against, and Arab MPs are even mocked in the Knesset. It will take much political courage and vision to put aside the narrative of victimhood in favor of constructive engagement for a better future. Yet despite the challenges, I believe that the Joint List should seize this special moment when it has won 13 seats, the most ever for Arab parties. The opportunity may not repeat if there is a third election and Arab voters become discouraged.
The Joint List can certainly partner with Mr. Gantz to create a Center-Left coalition that will have a decent shot at forming a government. It was a good first step that 10 of the 13 representatives from the Joint List recommended Gantz to President Rivlin. Nevertheless, because they refused to join his government, it ended up being only an empty gesture, and Rivlin gave the first mandate to Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud.
However, now, should the Joint List join a prospective Gantz government, the parties on the Center-Left will have 57 seats. Then it will be only a matter of bringing on one of the smaller parties to get over the electoral threshold of 61 seats. Perhaps one of the religious parties like Shas with its 9 seats would come over to Gantz, seeing the prospects of gaining some of its religious objectives. Perhaps Avigdor Lieberman with his 8 seats would find a way to put aside his scruples about sharing governance with Israeli Arabs. There are any number of scenarios where the prospects of political power can cause politicians to put aside their posturing and find the best deal for themselves and their constituents under the circumstances.
The Joint List could also enter the government in a Likud-led coalition. The math is simple: if the 10 Joint List members who were willing to present their mandates to President Rivlin were to turn around and join the right-wing parties, they would give it a comfortable majority of 65 seats. They would enable its coalition to outflank Mr. Gantz and the Center-Left. Moreover, Netanyahu would be spared the unpleasantness of dealing with Lieberman, whom he deeply dislikes. For sure, it would be challenging for the settlers in Likud and Yamina to work with Arabs as coalition partners. Yet I believe that the politicians of both the Joint List and Likud have the political skills for horse trading and deal-making that could accommodate the interests of both the settlers and the Arabs. Although many Arabs would find moving into a right-wing alliance distasteful, its very audacity would make Odeh the actual kingmaker and the Joint List a power to be respected by Israeli politicians of all stripes.
As a player in the government, the Joint List can improve the lot of Arab citizens of Israel in so many ways. Repeal of the Jewish Nationality Law would be at the top of the list in a Gantz government; Israel must be a country that serves all its citizens. In an alliance with either side there are economic benefits: the national budget should increase funds for police and security in Arab towns where even today a wave of murders has led to a general strike; it should fund improved roads and public services in Arab areas, and fund new hospitals and clinics. From its position in the government, the Joint List will be able to improve parity in social services for Arab communities overall. (continued on page 2)
