Israel’s election is approaching, but candidates are offering slogans instead of policies - opinion
With roughly two months left until election day, it is time for the candidates who want to lead Israel to tell us what they actually intend to do, and how they plan to bring the country together.
As Israel nears the conclusion of its election campaign, voters deserve more than mere slogans and political attacks. With roughly two months remaining until the election, the candidates must provide concrete plans for what they intend to do. Gadi Eisenkot, Likud's candidate, should offer more than merely labeling Likud as "the party of October 7."
During the years leading up to the attack, Eisenkot held the position of IDF chief of staff, so any discussion of responsibility must extend beyond a mere slogan. Similarly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should provide more than warning voters that "the Left" will return Israel to the Oslo path if Likud does not retain power.
He pledges to unify the country, but the means to achieve this remain unclear, possibly involving a partnership with the haredim (ultra-Orthodox) and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Israel confronts far more complex challenges than these typical political bogeymen. Voters deserve to know what candidates will actually do should they gain power. Center-Right parties also face challenges of their own. Will they put aside personal ambitions, egos, and competing political brands to unite behind a single viable alternative to Likud? The failure to do so could result in precious votes being divided among parties that may struggle to have a meaningful impact.
Avigdor Lieberman, who aims to become prime minister, has no apparent vision beyond positioning himself as a potential kingmaker. Voters deserve to know his economic priorities, housing plans, solutions to the haredi draft crisis, and his proposed security and diplomatic strategy. Being the kingmaker does not equate to being prime minister, and Lieberman needs to demonstrate concrete ideas rather than empty slogans.
Yair Golan must move beyond inflammatory rhetoric about settlers and religious Israelis and present a genuine political program. Israelis need to hear what he proposes instead of failed, unrealistic policies like Oslo.
Naftali Bennett is one candidate who deserves commendation for beginning to shift the conversation towards economic policy and practical challenges, rather than simply attacking opponents. However, voters still need answers to critical questions such as how to make housing affordable, resolve the haredi draft crisis, reform education, and address other pressing issues.
The election campaign should not be a contest of insults or predictions about the other side's victory, but rather a contest of ideas where the best solutions rise to the top.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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