By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D
JERUSALEM — Commentators are predicting that Benjamin Netanyahu will succeed in forming a government in Israel, but there’ll be some tension as he passes out ministries to Knesset Members of Likud, and passes up some of his party colleagues.
No agreement on how long his government will last.
We’ll see how the government shapes up, and how long it remains. We’ve heard Itamar Ben-Gvir, seemingly speaking out both sides of his mouth. He’s been talking fast and in a confusing manner, saying that he won’t use all the powers he has demanded, but also saying that he’ll assure a safer country for us all. He’s also speaking about Jews visiting the Temple Mount, i.e., al Aqsa. That’ll cause problems with the ultra-Orthodox, who insist on avoiding the unclear boundaries of the sacred sites.
The designated Minister of Construction, an ultra-Orthodox rabbi, who says that he perceives no particular problem in the housing sector. Except for the ultra-Orthodox,where he has proposed several major steps, including the construction of an additional ultra-Orthodox town.
What about non-Orthodox Jews, apparently not recognized as Jews by some of the Knesset Members who’ll be included in the new government?
We can bet that Bibi will make it, by no means in the couple of days he was predicting a month ago.
Commentators are speaking loudly, but in nothing that approaches unity. Like me, they are seizing the various comments of Ben-Gvir, the Chief of Police, and various other designated ministers to project one or another course of what’ll happen.
Who knows?
As we enjoy our potato pancakes, we should be thinking about the Ukrainians who are not able to enjoy tasty food, warm homes, or a comfortable trip to work. We’re asking ourselves about Vladimir Putin’s goals, and the price he is willing to pay. More Russian conscripts and more international condemnation? Hopefully he won’t go over the boundary to the use of nuclear weapons. And if he does, will there be retaliation in kind from countries supporting Ukraine?
There are many unanswered questions as I wish you all Happy Hanukkah.
Nobody is going to fight a nuclear war over Ukraine.