Netanyahu foes push for quick vote to end his 12-year rule

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By LAURIE KELLMAN

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opponents on Thursday pushed for a quick parliament vote to formally end his lengthy rule, hoping to head off any last-minute attempts by the premier to derail their newly announced coalition government.

The latest political maneuvering began just hours after opposition leader Yair Lapid and his main coalition partner, Naftali Bennett, declared they had reached a deal to form a new government and muster a majority in the 120-member parliament, or Knesset.

The coalition consists of eight parties from across the political spectrum with the shared goal of toppling Netanyahu after a record-setting 12 years in power. The alliance includes hardliners previously allied with Netanyahu, as well as center-left parties and even an Arab faction — a first in Israeli politics.

Netanyahu lashed out at his foes on Thursday, signaling that he will continue to exert pressure on former ideological allies who joined the Lapid-Bennett coalition. “All members of Knesset who were elected with right-wing votes need to oppose this dangerous leftist government,” he wrote on Twitter.



Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett, left, smiles as he speaks to Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid during a special session of the Knesset, whereby Israeli lawmakers elect a new president, at the plenum in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool Photo via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-health-coronavirus-pandemic-e96cc15e2474658e271e373cd4d6aeda

[Lonestarblue]

1. Good, now Bibi's prosecution can proceed.

Seeing him in jail would be almost as good as seeing Trump in jail.

[IronLionZion]

2. Lock him up! nt

[FarPoint]

3. My question is this....

Is the opposition group/party an improvement?

[karynnj]

4. It depends on all the issues that most concern you

One very significant difference is that it will be the first Israeli government that excludes the ultra orthodox. This has great significance because they have been given power way beyond their percent of the population on anything remotely connected to religion. They have been the ones who have prevented women praying anywhere at the Wall, they have been the ones allowed to define "who is a Jew" and they even in recent years tried to prevent the non orthodox rabbis from things like officiating at weddings.

In addition, their "Judea and Sumaria" definition of the West Bank has led them to positions on a Palestinian state that are as bad as the far right nationalist parties. They take this position even as they argue that ultraorthodox boys should study Torah, not fight in the IDF.(Even out of the government, the pronouncement of ultra orthodox rabbis will likely not end.) Almost any ministry they would be given - they would use to force their views on everyone. (Education and Transportation are really bad ideas)

Not to mention, this change government should be compared to the government that Netanyahu tried but failed to get. Had he received more votes than he did and gained 2 more seats, that government would have been the ultra-orthodox, Likkud, and a fascist, homophobic Kahanist party that Netanyahu pushed to run together to get above the threshold. Note - this government would include Bennett.

So, how is this government different? In addition to the right wing Bennett and Saar, who at least initially have huge power, it includes centrists Ganz and Lapid, and the left (Labor and Meretz) and some Arabs. Lapid has spoken of it as a unity government, which he says Israel needs. It is possible that the desire to avoid the government falling apart, which would happen if they lose even one party involved might be a restraining force. The good thing is that it likely means efforts to annex the West Bank are unlikely. However, it likely means that nothing bold - such as peace negotiations will happen.

[FarPoint]

5. Thank you for the insight....

It sound much like an improvement and may go in the right direction...