Waiting and Wondering in Israel

JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended new  judicial reform legislation until after the holidays. That means until close to the end of this month.

Meanwhile, demonstrations continue around the country, with tens, if not hundreds of thousands gathering to protest what may happen when the suspension ends.

Criticism continues, focused on the prime minister as well as on his son, Yair. Bibi is accused of creating an extremist coalition, and doing little to reign in their aspirations. Central to the criticism is his own indictments, and his concern to avoid prison.

All that seems fair. Except that he may be trapped. By nothing that he created, but by what the electorate returned as a collection of extremist Knesset Members of Likud, plus those of the religious right, and as usual the ultra-Orthodox who may have no other place to go.

By this analysis, Bibi is caught between a rock and a hard place. By conditions created not entirely by him, but with which he copes.

To keep Itamar Ben-Gvir in line, he promised him a National Guard.

From where? With what authority?

We’re hearing from the police chief a criticism of the National Guard, which would, presumably, have some of the police authority. The police chief is concerned about a clash of forces, beyond anyone’s capacity to control.

And the Attorney General also weighed in, saying that there is a legal impediment over the overlapping of duties between such a National Guard and the Israel Police.

Those sharing my own concern about the National Guard can look here for a review of criticisms.

Will Ben-Gvir accomplish anything? Money? Manpower? Authority?

And is there a defense minister? Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed Yoav Gallant from the post, but the dismissal was verbal. So far, no official letter of dismissal. We hear that we’re waiting on an apology from Gallant: that he mistakenly called for a halt to reform legislation when Netanyahu was out of the country. Gallant’s reasoning focused on the refusal of many reservists to serve, amidst heavy protests. Then came the closing of Ben Gurion Airport to outgoing flights, and the announcement that the Health Service would work according to its Shabbat schedule.

Perhaps Netanyahu is waiting on a full apology: not only focusing on the timing but also the content?

Who knows?

There have been meetings, but so far no progress, with the president and representatives of the government and the opposition. Representatives of each criticize the other.

Among our hopes is that the government will not remain united, and efforts to continue implementing judicial and other reforms will fail to achieve support of the Knesset.

Polls are showing support for a turnover, if there’s an election.

So we’re waiting. And wondering. Planning for Pesach, and then two more weeks to include Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

Then what?

Questions about a defense minister (Gallant), and the minister of public security (Ben-Gvir) point to the fractured nature of this country. On the one hand are the professional cadres run by professionals. And on the other hand are the political Ministers, seemingly in charge.