http://wordfromjerusalem.com/?p=4509
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There is madness in the air.
Israel faces extraordinary challenges whilst virtually all our leaders
uninhibitedly continue their intrigues and machinations in pursuit of
power. They regard their responsibility to the national interest as a
distant mirage uttering occasional hypocritical rhetoric.
Our friends and allies rub
their eyes in disbelief and the barbarians at our gates rejoice as they
observe such irresponsible posturing.
Enough is enough. We must
convey the message that if our politicians fail to behave responsibly
and get their act together, we will send them home at the next
elections.
I appeal to Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu. Let the nation know that you are willing to
accommodate and reach an agreement on the central issue which
purportedly represents a barrier to the formation of a government. Make
it clear that you accept, with possible minor modifications, the demand
from Yesh Atid that gradually, over a five-year period, haredim will be
obliged to serve in the IDF or a form of National Service; that reforms
will be implemented to enable ultra-Orthodox Jews to earn a livelihood
rather than rely on state welfare; that any haredi school receiving
state subsidies will be obliged to teach a core curriculum; that state
religious instrumentalities will be staffed by religious Zionist rabbis;
and that the government will endorse Rabbi David Stav, the head of the
Tzohar rabbinical movement, as their candidate to assume the role of
Chief Rabbi.
Such intervention in religious
and state issues is highly overdue and would clearly reflect the will
of the people. This is an historic opportunity to bring about these
reforms. Any attempt to maintain the old regime by merely introducing
cosmetic changes will enrage the nation.
Besides, in view of the
dramatic demographic growth of the haredi sector, failure to act now
could undermine the social fabric of Israeli society and, in a few short
years, result in an economic crisis as a consequence of an ever-growing
number of able bodied Israelis becoming dependent on state welfare.
Once agreement is achieved
around these parameters there should be absolutely no excuse for not
forming the widest possible national government.
In terms of the peace process,
other than Bayit Yehudi which seeks to annex Judea and Samaria, the
divergence between Netanyahu and other parties over external policies
are minimal. Yesh Atid calls for greater efforts to negotiate with the
Palestinians but is clearly not promoting additional unilateral
concessions and supports an undivided Jerusalem and the retention of
Ariel.
Even if Tzipi Livni retains
her absurd fig leaf role of “heading the peace process”, her activities
are unlikely to eventuate because Mahmoud Abbas and the PA are neither
willing to compromise nor in a position to exercise any reciprocity.
Indeed, their preconditions would probably preclude Livni from engaging
in any discussions with them.
Ministerial portfolios at such
a critical time should not be regarded as sacred cows and should be
allocated to the most appropriate candidate rather than extorted on a
purely party political level. Aside from the position of Prime Minister,
even allowing for political representation and senior ministerial roles
being affected by numbers, positions such as Foreign Minister should be
filled by the person best equipped to promote the case for Israel.
In all probability, had
Netanyahu not so stubbornly protected the vested interests of the
haredim, a new government would already have been formed.
But this is water under the
bridge. If Netanyahu now accedes to the reforms relating to religion and
state, both Yesh Atid and Bayit Yehudi - who publicly proclaim that,
like the majority of the nation, they also support him as Prime Minister
- should speedily overcome any remaining minor obstacles and join the
government.
Yet, regrettably there are
signs that both of these parties, somewhat giddy about their electoral
triumphs, are making additional unreasonable demands.
I personally have little
sympathy for Shas and believe that throughout their existence they have
concentrated on exploiting successive governments and extorting
exclusive privileges for their own sector rather than being concerned
with the national interest. Furthermore, they contributed to the
degradation and corruption of state religious instrumentalities and
played a major role in creating the tensions and prejudice against
religion. They have also behaved abominably towards the religious
Zionist sector of the community.
Nevertheless Shas is a
democratically elected party and if it (unlike United Torah Judaism)
accommodates the will of the people in terms of religious reforms, it
would be discriminatory if they were excluded from participating in a
broad national government.
There are unconfirmed rumors
that Yair Lapid (backed by Naftali Bennett) is now refusing under any
circumstances to join a government in which Shas is also a component. If
this is true, it is scandalous. Both Lapid and Bennett are political
newcomers and they should not lose sight of the fact that voters
supported them despite the absence of any track record. The bulk of
their support was generated because Israelis were fed up with the
machinations of the establishment political parties.
If Yesh Atid and Bayit Yehudi
are now calling for a boycott or exclusion of any political party
willing to accept the will of the people, they are contradicting all the
rhetoric of unity which they were promoting during the course of the
elections.
Lapid and Bennett should display a little humility, at least initially, until they learn the ropes.
If, after Likud meets their
demands to reform the religion and state issues, they make additional
unreasonable demands, obliging the nation to face another costly
election, they would be opposing the will of the nation and betraying
their voters who supported them to overcome petty politics and unite the
nation.
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He may be contacted at ileibler@leibler.com
This column was originally published in the Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom
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