The new Israeli Government faces three major challenges that will become more and more apparent as time evolves. There is the traditional problem that coalition governments always face, how to keep all the partners happy while weathering storms created by the opposition forces in the country. Second, what are the likely problems which will evolve between Israel and her friends and neighbors in the region as well as throughout the world? Finally, unlike any other government in the world, Israeli politicians always face the question of how Jews and Jewish communities around the world will respond to the decisions of an Israeli Government. In 2023, for the first time in almost 75 years, these questions are being framed in the context of how an ultra-right-wing political and extremist religious coalition is addressing them.
In rapid sequence, it has become obvious after barely two weeks in power that this new Government is willing to turn many fundamental traditions which have guided previous administrations totally on their head. This has become clear in all three areas.
The Netanyahu Government appears is not only ready to increase subsidies for ultra-Orthodox (charedi) young men who are studying in yeshivot but will roll back environmental restrictions on the use of disposable plastic plates and cutlery; a demand as well of the charedi parties. This coalition is prepared to remove not only restrictions on the expansion of Jewish settlements and outposts on the West Bank, but to outlaw the display of the Palestinian flag. Netanyahu’s Government will legalize restrictions against the LGBTQ+ community while at the same time it is ready to change the “law of return” setting more restrictive, religious conditions for Jews seeking to immigrate to Israel.
None of these issues hold a candle to the radical “reforms” that the Government is seeking to make to the Israeli judicial system. These changes alone will have a dramatic effect on the various courts. It will politicize the judicial selection process and restrict the rights of all citizens, who until now have been largely protected by an independent judiciary. Even if Netanyahu is acquiescing to some of these changes strictly to protect himself and his own pending lawsuits, the overriding consequences many of these proposed changes will have on numerous segments of Israeli society is dramatic.
The most shocking aspect of the upheaval being created by this new coalition is the lack of a serious pushback from most of the Israeli public. Most Israelis are proceeding with their lives with little or no concern. Many on the left as well as political moderates may well be angry, but they are no significant, sustained voices in protest. To date Arab citizens of Israel as well as Palestinians are not mounting meaningful demonstrations.
Until now it has largely been only speeches and rhetoric. Once implementation begins of some of these regulations and the Parliament enacts some of these changes, the public outcry may intensify. In addition, global reaction—from the Biden Administration to European friends, to regional players—has been muted. Most have followed Washington in adopting a “wait and see” attitude, but this is likely to end soon.
In fact, as Prime Minister Netanyahu starts to venture on to the international stage, he also is likely to find many challenges to the direction of his Government. His speech to the pro-Israel lobbying group, AIPAC, at their meeting yesterday in Washington was easy. As Bibi moves outside his protective circle of sycophants, he may well find Diaspora Jews more critical of his Government.
Netanyahu can play the Iran threat card just so many times, but many American Jews are tired of hearing this same song bite. A more objectionable reaction from American Jews will undoubtedly also make the Biden Administration as well as other governments more willing to challenge the policies of the Israeli Government towards the Palestinians in general and on the West Bank in particular.
Prime Minister Netanyahu will be on a very short leash. He may well wish to re-enter the American political game as he did during the Obama years. This time the constellation of Republican allies may not be as willing to tolerate a regional policy which could undermine U.S. energy needs as well as heightened strategic concerns vis-à-vis Russia and China.
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