Identity Crisis that Threatens Israeli’s Democracy

Identity Crisis that Threatens Israeli’s Democracy

The 2020 Corona virus pandemic threatens to shift the global political paradigms, a feat that is currently at play in Israel. The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu finally attained his win, after his opposition Benny Gantz, succumbed to the pressures posed by the novel virus. Benny Gantz, the Blue and White political leader who had sworn not to rule under a Prime Minister with numerous misconduct charges, opted to form an alliance with Netanyahu in in averting the corona virus epidemic. While some Israelites commend Gantz for taking the high road during this period, others condemn his actions as weak and a breakage of all the promises he made to his followers. This essay uses articles by David Halbfinger and Isabel Kershner to analyze the impending crisis Israel ought to face due to changes in national, religious, and ethnic identities.

National Changes

Since Gantz has been close to defeating Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister on three different occasions, many Israeli nationals support his amends. With a 61 seat presence in the Knesset, Gantz and his liberal views was set to overthrow Netanyahu. Moreover, the Blue and white party had voted to nominate Meir Cohen as the next speaker of the Israeli’s government. Mr. Cohen had a task to create legislative loopholes that would block Prime Minister Netanyahu from serving. Therefore, when Gantz made the controversial decision to serve under Netanyahu in a unified government, he faced significant opposition.

Immediately after Gantz’s declaration to join Netanyahu’s government, his party threatened to breakup (Halbfinger & Kershner). Numerous people rebuked Gantz’s choice. For instance, Nitzan Horowitz, an incumbent leader in Gantz’s party stated that joining Netanyahu ” is to spit in the face and betray the voters of Blue and White and the entire center-left bloc” (Halbfinger & Kershner, np).

Furthermore, many people believe that Netanyahu’s call for unity during this crisis is a coup to ensure his hold on the Prime Minister position. Such an alliance would prove to be forthcoming for Netanyahu, as he refuses to let go of the Prime Minister position, regardless of his crimes. Analysts state that Gantz decision may impose a political doom on his future leadership, since the Blue and White team would have to play by the rules of Likud, Netanyahu’s party. For instance, the party relented when Likud denied placing Meir Cohen as the net speaker, a move that shows Gantz inability to make any changes in while under Netanyahu (Halsfinger & Kershner). However, Gantz self-appointment as parliament’s speaker shows that there could be a slight opportunity for him to defeat Netanyahu in the future.

Ethnicity

The Blue and White team identifies as diverse and liberal. Therefore, the team caters for ethnic needs. The party encourages Israeli-Ethiopian citizens to fight for their rights as Israel’s citizens. However, the current condition in Knesset scares many Israeli- Ethiopian leaders, because they would lose a supporter in parliament. Although Gantz shows no desire in changing his liberal views, ruling under Netanyahu, and the lack of support from a unified Blue and White team may lead to ethnic clashes and disintegration in Israeli. The Joint List’s Control of the labor and welfare committee implemented by the Blue and White party, led by Gantz, intends to assist people living below the poverty line during the Corona virus lock down. The majority of these people are black Israeli’s from Ethiopia. However, Netanyahu and his allies constantly undermine this effort, saying that the committee only sees to the needs of wounded veterans (Halbfinger).

Religion

The Blue and White party is liberal and hence, does not conform to a specific religion. However, Gantz receives most of his support from Arab lawmakers, who are predominantly Muslim. On the other hand, conservative Jews significantly support Netanyahu’s rule. The alliance between these two leaders would bring numerous religious clashes between the Jews and the Muslims. Furthermore, the few Christians in Knesset would feel left out, and thus want to have a say. Such disintegration would cause an unstable Israeli democracy, under the hands of Netanyahu.

The former speaker of parliament, Yuli Edelstein, exhibited the crumbling state of Israel’s democracy when he incessantly refused to let the Blue and White party vote for a new speaker. According to the Israeli democratic laws, only the majority rule in parliament makes legal changes. However, Edelstein, a significant supporter of Netanyahu’s rule, resigned from his position but stalled on the voting time for a new speaker. Edelstein feared that granting power Gantz’s people would destroy the Jewish religion’s claim on the Knesset. The Israeli president, however, rebuked Edelstein for his contempt of court and democracy (Halbfinger). Surprisingly, after the bad blood between Edelstein and the liberal team, he vowed to help Gantz position as the speaker (Halsfinger & Kershner). The sudden but unstable unity between these two rival teams places Israeli’s democracy at risk.

Spurred by the Corona virus, the shift in Israel’s governmental power has led to an uproar, with more significant woes among the liberals of the nation. They fear that without an opposition, Netanyahu’s rule may become anarchical. Moreover, a long-term Netanyahu rule would impose Israeli and Jewish extremist laws that harm other ethnic and religious groups in the country.