The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict #99: Here We Go Again, Here We Go-Go-Go to Vote in the Elections
We concluded yesterday's discussion with another military operation in the Gaza Strip, Operation Guardian of the Walls, following a massive missile attack on Israel. Let's pick it up from there.
Gaza Continues To Attack Israel
Operation Guardian of the Walls was a large-scale military operation by the IDF in the Gaza Strip in May 2021, after the Palestinian terrorist organizations led by Hamas initiated an attack and fired massive rockets at Jerusalem during a parade on the occasion of Jerusalem Day and later also at the center of Israel which included Gush Dan, the Shephelah, the Negev, and the Sharon plain.
During Operation Guardian of the Walls, Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip launched about 4,360 rockets, anti-tank missiles, and mortar bombs at Israel. As a result of the Palestinian shooting from the Gaza Strip, 9 Israeli citizens, three foreign citizens, and one soldier were killed.
The operation continued until the ceasefire that came into effect on May 21, at 02:00 AM, mediated by Egypt.
The Likud Abandoned All Good Virtues And Pursued Only Revenge
Simultaneously, during the military operation in the Gaza Strip, Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett negotiated terms to establish a coalition. Harsh allegations began to be heard against Bennett and Lapid when it became known that they were negotiating to establish an alternative government. However, Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett successfully formed a coalition. Yet, the Likud party viewed Lapid and Bennett's success as its greatest colossal failure.
Throughout the government's tenure until its dissolution, Knesset members from the right-wing parties in the opposition strongly denounced it, acted violently, and accused Bennett and members of his party of treason, fraud, and stealing their voters' votes.
During the Lapid-Bennett government, the opposition led by Benjamin Netanyahu refused to cooperate with the coalition legislation, even in bills considered over the years to be a consensus among the Zionist parties, as an act of revenge. Benjamin Netanyahu's goal was to thwart any political activity of the coalition, even at the cost of harming the citizens of the State of Israel.
Since the 90s’ Only Right-Wing Parties Chose Violent Resistance
The opposition to the Lapid-Bennett government became extremely violent on social networks. Users' verbal violence escalated to extreme physical violence and personal incitement against Naftali Bennett and the coalition members. Likud activists demonstrated loudly near the homes of coalition members to pressure them to resign from the government. The incitement against Prime Minister Bennett reached its peak when he received frequent death threats. In addition, a letter containing a live bullet was sent to Bennett's son as a clear threat aimed at coercing his father to resign.
This verbal and physical violence only existed during the period when the Likud party was in opposition and had no trace of it when the Likud party was in power. Similar to the violence directed at Yitzhak Rabin in the 90s, the same violence was directed at Naftali Bennett in 2022. This violence was orchestrated deliberately to cross the line of the rules of the democratic game and involve family members of the coalition members, putting massive pressure on them.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Again: The Disintegration of the Government And The Dissolution of the Knesset
Although the political crisis seemed over with the establishment of this government, it did not last long either. Knesset members resigned from the government after receiving honors and personal promises from Benjamin Netanyahu for positions in the next Knesset. As a result, the coalition had 60 Knesset members without an absolute majority.
In June 2022, after exhausting all attempts to stabilize the coalition, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid agreed to dissolve the Knesset and advance the elections. As a result, the Knesset passed the law on early elections
Hamsa, Hamsa, Hamsa!
The fifth election in 4 years has become the most critical election for the State of Israel. The election campaigns of the parties spared no means, became violent, and sanctified every action to garner votes, even at the cost of spreading lies and empty promises to the voters. In light of the polls showing that the extreme parties did not pass the Knesset threshold, they united into one party to strengthen the extreme right-wing bloc. This dirty trick changed the political representation of all Israeli citizens in the Knesset because they split the party into the original parties when they got their seats in the Knesset. Exploiting the weak spots of democracy in a distorted way is not fair play and reveals these party members' moral and ethical values.
The Likud party secured 32 mandates in this election, representing 23% of the votes. Consequently, Benjamin Netanyahu was granted the mandate to form the government. After five previous failures, he finally managed to form a coalition, albeit a controversial one. In his pursuit to secure a government by any means necessary, Netanyahu partnered with extreme religious and right-wing parties. This government includes Knesset members who have been accused and served time in prison for bribery and abuse of power, as well as Knesset members with criminal records for perpetrating Jewish terrorist acts against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and attacking IDF soldiers during the Israeli disengagement from Gaza. Furthermore, the government includes ministers who have been accused of supporting the incitement to assassinate Yitzhak Rabin.
Curious to Know How Many Disasters This Government has Caused Israel? Stay Tuned and Join our Class Tomorrow.
That's all for today, class. We'll continue tomorrow.
Take care.