Israel’s Center-Right is looking for a choice, not just an alternative - opinion
Israel does not need another government whose principal achievement is defeating the other side. It needs a government of leaders humble enough to understand that the country is more important.
For an Israeli voter in the Center-Right political camp, the upcoming election presents a daunting choice. The October 7 attack was not merely an intelligence failure or operational blunder. Those in high-ranking positions during the crisis, particularly Benjamin Netanyahu, must be held accountable for the events that unfolded. While it's important for a democracy to hold its institutions accountable, political leadership cannot be exempt from the same principle.
However, the available alternatives complicate the decision further. Candidates like Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Liberman, once senior officials in the political and security establishment, did not emerge from the shadows. They played influential roles in shaping the military and government before October 7. Are they offering a fundamentally different government or just a different set of insiders?
The political discourse often portrays a significant ideological divide between Netanyahu and the opposition, but upon closer examination, the differences are not as vast. Many fundamental issues facing Israel are closely held by both the Center-Right and the opposition. The principal argument being made to voters is a simple "We are not Bibi."
Israel requires more than a change in personnel; it needs a shift in how the political system functions. The country is grappling with numerous challenges simultaneously. The war against Hamas continues, the Iranian threat looms large, and Israel faces a difficult international diplomatic environment. Additionally, domestic issues such as haredi military service, the housing crisis, and the cost of living require urgent attention.
Strengthening the economy while managing substantial defense expenditures is another critical task. Developing a unified policy on Judea and Samaria, reinventing the educational system for the 21st century, and forming a proactive public relations team to counter anti-Israel sentiment are also essential. Lastly, judicial reform is necessary, but it should be inclusive and focus on addressing the needs of most Israelis rather than appeasing ideological extremes.
Ultimately, Israel needs a unity government rather than a bloc government. It requires a government that prioritizes the country first, is accountable to its citizens, including reservists who sacrificed during October 7, and works towards a secure, prosperous, democratic, and Jewish state. This unity government should not require every issue to be decided down the middle, but rather build a Zionist coalition around the majority of Israelis seeking these goals.
Ultimately, the next government should be judged on its ability to put aside personal ambitions and collaborate for the nation's betterment, rather than being labeled as "Bibi's government" or an "anti-Netanyahu" government.
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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