Weekly Commentary: Mr. Netanyahu Don't Screw Around - Give Chance To Forming
National Camp Coalition Government
Dr. Aaron Lerner 25 September, 2019

Dear Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu,

As the leader of the national camp, you have an obligation to make a good
faith effort to try to form a ruling coalition of the national camp.

And such a coalition could be formed if Yisrael Beiteinu, that is part of
the national camp, joins the coalition.

Yes. There's bad blood between you and Liberman.

Yes. There's a narrative that Liberman's motives begin and end with making
sure you aren't prime minister.

But that's not the explanation Liberman has given for his actions.

He's cited religion-state issues. And the truth is that since the
elections the red lines that he's mentioned on religion-state issues are
something that a round table of representatives of Yisrael Beiteinu and the
religious parties could resolve.

To be clear: I'm not suggesting a round table just so that we can document
who is responsible for the failure of the effort - though there would be a
place for that for the sake of history and out of respect for your
constituents. I have every reason to believe that such a move would
succeed.

You cited security challenges and the so-called opportunity of the "deal of
the century" to justify a unity government rather than a national camp
coalition government.

The Nation can stand together without representatives of Blue White in the
cabinet.

What the Nation needs is an indication that the ruling coalition recognizes
the severity of the situation and acts accordingly.

Which brings us back to the round table of representatives of Yisrael
Beiteinu and the religious parties.

I cannot think of a stronger message that the ruling coalition recognizes
the severity of the situation than an historic breakthrough on
religion-state issues for a House United rather than a House Divided.

Suffice it to say that this message would be reinforced by the contours of
the security emergency budget that will apparently be required.

Again - a tangible breakthrough in state-religion issues which facilitates
Yisrael Beiteinu joining the ruling coalition followed by passage of a
security emergency budget would create an environment in which almost all
Israelis, regardless of who they voted for, would feel a part of.

Suffice it to say that in the event that we are compelled to engaged in a
major military campaign that the leadership of Blue White, sitting in the
opposition, can be counted on to put the nation ahead of petty politics for
the duration.

This is not the time for time consuming and potentially disastrous political
chess playing.

Again. The national camp has enough seats to form a ruling coalition.

It is most likely just a round table away.
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il