After more than 508 days without an elected government, Israel's largest was sworn in on Sunday. 35 ministers were affirmed by the Knesset with another two to take over their positions in 18-months when, or if, the rotation agreement between Prime Minister Netanyahu and alternate Prime Minister Gantz goes into effect. This will be the largest government in Israel's history.
And the most expensive. Each minister gets their own office and staff and car and driver and expense account. Ministries also function as a way for politicians to repay those who supported them by handing out plum jobs associated with the ministry. Analysts point out that the cost of this government will be at the expense of important and much needed improvements in health, education and welfare. According to David Horowitz, editor of the Times of Israel, "This government will be exploiting, not serving, the people."
Israel radio's Reshet Bet political commentator Chanan Krystal said that Netanyahu handed out posts to those who had been most vociferous in promoting his agenda delegitimizing the courts at the expense of old time Likud party officials who were not, in Netanyahu's eyes, as supportive. Some who were lower down on the Likud list drawn up for the last elections skipped over those who were higher up. This created a minor crisis on Thursday when veteran Likud ministers were did not receive an assignment. Netanyahu asked for an extension to the swearing in, scheduled for last Thursday, to sort out the mess.
Still, some Likud loyalists were given posts beneath what they considered their just due.
And some, like former Jerusalem mayor Nir Barakat, were left out completely. In Israel, the higher up on the election list you were determined which ministerial post you received. The most prestigious posts at the top were of course Prime Minister, then Defense Minister, then Foreign Minister, and on down the line. In this government Blue and White leader Benny Gantz received the Defense Minister post until, after 18-months, he becomes Prime Minister in a rotation agreement. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid has called the new government "crooked" and predicted it would not last long.
One of the more controversial appointments in the eyes of Likud critics was Amir Ohana as Public Security Minister. Ohana, the former Justice Minister, had been criticized for trying to derail the prosecution of Netanyahu. His new post puts him in charge of the police and the police investigation bureau. Considered a Netanyahu lackey, Ohana will have to decide to pursue investigations against Netanyahu that have not yet been initiated or concluded.
Yacov Litzman was moved out of the Ministry of Health into the Housing Ministry. Critics say that Litzman will now divert government funds to the ultra-orthodox community for their housing needs at the expense of young secular couples. Uli Edelstein, former Speaker of the Knesset, was appointed the new Health Minister. Netanyahu loyalist Yariv Lavine, who had spoken out against Conservative and Reform Judaism, was appointed Speaker of the Knesset.
One of the Likud stalwarts, Knesset member Chaim Katz, could not be reappointed to a ministerial post since he is under indictment for fraud and breach of trust in his capital market activity. One critic points out the absurd situation where a Knesset member under indictment cannot be appointed as a minister but the same restriction doesn't apply to the Prime Minister. Netanyahu's trial is scheduled to begin on May 24th.
In their acceptance speeches, both Netanyahu and Gantz stressed this was a unity government formed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one million Israelis are unemployed. Restaurants, which are expected to open next week, are still closed. But schools began today for all grades including kindergartens and preschools. This frees up parents to leave their baby-sitting duties and return to work. Still, economists predict hard times ahead not only in Israel but around the world due to the pandemic.
Last week, U.S. Sec. of State Mike Pompeo flew into Israel. The apparent reason was to convince Israel not to sign any deals with China for a desalinization plant. And to express the US dissatisfaction with Israel doing any business with China. Pundits expected Pompeo to weigh in on Netanyahu's plan to annex the West Bank but he demurred. Jordan's King Hussein has warned of dire consequences if Israel annexes the West Bank. And both the EU and the UN have warned against the move. U.S. Pres. Trump, however, is in favor of annexation as part of his Peace Plan. In an unrelated development, China's ambassador to Israel Du Wei, 57, was found dead in his official residence in Herzliya of an apparent heart attack.
Israel is presently undergoing a severe heat wave with temperatures in the low 40's centigrade, (@110 F). Some say the heat will kill the COVID-19 but others point out that countries like Australia had severe temperatures but still had the virus. Others point out that while the outdoor temperatures may be soaring most people stay indoors.
Israel's parks also opened up. Ostensibly these parks are to adhere to strict ministry of health restrictions. One reporter visited the Safari Park (Zoo) in Ramat Gan, just outside of Tel Aviv. Tickets were purchased on line, according to the website's instructions. The visitor had to chose a time to come to the Safari Park, hourly beginning at 9:00. The reporter chose 12:00 but arrived at 11:00 to find a long line of cars at the entry booth. The attendant pointed to the sign that echoed that on the webiste: masks, social distancing, etc. The attendant received the receipt for the 12:00 entry without a word, and said, "Don't forget to wear a mask." One of the passengers in the car did not have a ticket and the attendant sold one on the spot paid for by credit card only.
 |
| Ramat Gan Safari Zoo |
The malls also opened. Temperatures were taken by the guard at the entrance, but contrary to the hype, no telephone numbers were taken to track people once in the mall so as to limit the number of shoppers.
An Israeli research team at Ben Gurion University of the Negev says they've developed a breath analyzer that can determine if a person has COVID-19 within 30-seconds. The team says that the results are 90 percent accurate. The machines will cost @$40,000 once they go into production and each test would cost @$40.
The worst appears to be over. Now the question if will the government be able to do more than give cabinet posts and jobs to loyalists, bring Israel out of the present crisis, and prepare the population for the possibility of another wave of infections in the fall?
That's if the government doesn't fall should Netanyahu be quickly convicted. However, the odds of that are slim. The coalition agreements allows Netanyahu to dissolve the government and go to new elections should any High Court decision make him step down. Also, he is to remain in power until he has exhausted the legal battle including appeals. Time will tell if this government lasts, succeeds, or becomes an joke.
