@Netanyahu, cc: @IsraeliPM

Benjamin Netanyahu has become a seemingly irremovable fixture of Israel. The most recent failed parliamentary election has an interesting connotation about democracy in Israel and moral ethics of Netanyahu’s strong grip on Likud.

To put it bluntly, it seems Bibi has served as an effective roadblock to the success of Israel’s entire political system. After Likud’s failing to form a coalition government in April, a snap election was called for September. Over a month on, and still, Mr. Netanyahu remains Prime Minister, adding time to his record-long place in office.

After succumbing to his inability to form a coalition government with a majority of the Knesset’s 120 seats, Benny Gantz, leader of Netanyahu’s incumbent party Blue and White has been given the opportunity.

Gantz has agreed to join a national unity government with Likud- if Netanyahu steps down, his argument being that “On a moral and ethical level, and on a practical level, you cannot lead a government if and when an indictment is submitted against you,”. Effectively, the political deadlock Israel is currently experiencing is all in the hands of Benjamin Netanyahu, causing a stalemate in Israeli politics. If Israel’s future and security are as important to Netanyahu as he says it is, why hasn’t he released his grip on power? A recent poll of Israelis A recent poll (source) shows that more than half of Israelis believe that Netanyahu should resign now in light of the indictments against him. So, more curiously, why hasn’t Likud released him?

Does this highlight a grave flaw in the fundamental structure of Israeli elections? Has Netanyahu found a way to create a de-facto authoritarian government with 10 years of rule under his belt in a de- jure democratic system despite not technically having term limits?

If Gantz’s Blue and White is unable to form a new coalition government by November 20th, President Reuvin Rivlin will have to call new elections. The trouble is, between the April and September snap elections, Likud and Blue and White remained similarly neck and neck, with no strong break in the political split in sight. Then what?

Interestingly, much like the current state of the United States political system, the sense of loyalty towards Bibi from Likud’s members and MKs has grown stronger as accusations against Netanyahu grow closer. The idea that the indictments against Netanyahu are a political ploy from the Left to gain power mirrors the Conservative camp’s feelings on a Trump impeachment in the US. The issue is, however, that this fear of “the other” is detrimental to the legal process, and it is most likely that a third election in the span of a year will serve only as a reminder of the stalemated Israeli political process.

Additionally, Netanyahu’s desperation to hold power has led him down a dangerous path of incitement against Israeli Arabs. With Blue and White securing endorsement from The Arab List, Netanyahu has used this ammunition for his coalition seeking campaign. Netanyahu’s stance that “Going to a [third] election would be a disaster, but forming a government that is dependent on the Arab parties would be a worse disaster. This would be a historic danger for Israeli security” is intrinsically flawed, and ignores his own vital part in Israel’s current election deadlock.

The Prime Minister’s harsh remarks have been denounced by President Rivlin, who’s statement asks “…everyone who cares about the State of Israel to stop these ugly statements,” and in doing so, Netanyahu has “deepen[ed] the already existing divisions” within Israeli society.

Whether one supports Benjamin Netanyahu’s seat as Prime Minister of Israel or not, it seems that his stubborn hold on Likud’s top slot has caused stark political divisions in Israel’s already vastly distant right, center, and left. Netanyahu is halting the country’s progress politically and personally. His increasingly harsh remarks about his political enemies causes further parliamentary rifts. Perhaps most detrimentally, Netanyahu’s strong rhetoric alienates right wing parties, his own included, from negotiations with other parties that can keep Israel a functioning democracy- as it should be.