JERUSALEM — It’s been two weeks since the election, and just now the President has interviewed party heads, and selected Benny Gantz to have the first chance at forming a coalition.
Earlier signs of a minority government with Blue and White, Meretz-Labor, and Israel Our Home, with outside support from the United Arab List, have faded, but not completely.
Two members of Blue and White and one of Meretz-Labor have indicated their opposition to allying with the United Arab List, and that brings Gantz’s vote down to 59.
Gantz has a month, or perhaps six weeks, to pressure one and all.
He had the 61 votes to require the call from the President, but he may not have 61 to pass muster for a government in the Knesset.
He may have enough to control the selection of the Knesset Speaker, and perhaps to enact a law that will prevent an indicted Bibi being named Prime Minister.
At least for a while, he’ll negotiate with Netanyahu about some kind of joint, or emergency government.
He’s judged Bibi’s early proposals as deceptive and unreliable. As well as giving Bibi the initial run as Prime Minister.
All schools and universities, from nursery through universities, have been closed, along with theaters, museums, coffee houses, restaurants, gyms, shopping centers, and anything else entailing groups of more than 10.
Except for food markets and public transportation.
People have been urged to remain at home, except for emergencies. Offices have been instructed to have most doing their work from home.
We hear updated counts of those infected, here and in other countries. We’re wondering if hospitals are reaching their capacity to deal with the increase in cases, and if those lightly affected will be put in hotels–otherwise closed due to the absence of tourists.
Rabbis have asked that people stop visiting the Western Wall. Synagogue congregations have pondered what to do. Almost daily we see pictures of the empty hall in the airport, which is usually jammed with those lining up to present their tickets.
Some Ashkenazim ultra-Orthodox will continue their studies, against the policy of the Health Ministry, and presumably the Minister who is one of them. Under pressure, they have said they’ll limit classes to ten students.
Panic? Hard to say. We’re urged to limit food shopping, but people are rushing to supermarkets, and emptying their shelves as fast as they can be restocked. Supermarkets are open 24 hours. A favorite purchase has been toilet paper.
Bibi has been coupling announcements concerning coronavirus with self-praise, He’s appeared several times on prime time television to talk about the disease, and himself.
He’s appealed for a unity government, but without giving up his right-wing block. He’s been followed by an inarticulate ultra-Orthodox Health Minister who seemed to repeat praise of the Prime Minister. How could such a bumbling character lead the health service? Not too far in his background is a likely indictment for using his influence to halt the extradition to Australia of a religious teacher accused there of sexual harassment, but here putting up a front as if she is too mentally ill for a criminal trial.
We’ve heard from the Ministers of Finance and Education who pretty much said the same thing as the Health Minister about the Prime Minister.
Gantz has said that he’d meet with Bibi, but without agreeing to Bibi as the Prime Minister. He stressed the need to include all sectors of society. Bibi responded that it would not include those who supported terrorists.
Bibi wants opposition parties to join his government.
Lieberman has called for a unity government to include only Likud and Blue and White. With Bibi?
A Justice Minister, very close to Bibi, cancelled most trials at a 1 AM announcement, which led the Supreme Court to postpone Bibi’s trial.
The Organization for the Quality of Government has opposed the Justice Minister, citing his special appointment and lack of authority. It has appealed his decision to judicial authorities, with special concern for the continuation of Bibi’s trial.
Politics continue, despite coronavirus, or under its shadoe
The economy has pretty much closed down. Lots are unemployed, and waiting for the procedures to provide them with compensation.
Commentators are all over the map. Some are worrying about child care, ad some about the homeless. Will the closure of schools crowd the parks? Television and radio have begun more educational programs.
The army is also on special status. Troops have been called to their bases, with instructions to prepare for a month there, instead of the usual week. Military offices have sent most workers home, like many in the civilian sector. Palestinians and Iranians have also been bothered by the disease, so we’ll hope that all will be at rest.
Some 3,000 have been recruited to military reserve duty, to help with the management of the home front.
We’ll see how it all works. And till when?
Upcoming Passover will test us all. Provision against assemblies of more than 10 will threaten most Seders.
We’re hoping that things will return to normal after Passover, as the heat of weather will kill the virus, but who knows?
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Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com