Israel’s Political Shake-Up Continues

On Sunday 16 January, it was reported that former Israeli Prime Minister (now opposition leader) Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a plea deal to end his corruption case.

Mr Netanyahu is on trial for fraud, breach of trust and acceptance of bribes in three separate cases, all of which he denies. Several elements of the proposed deal remain unresolved, such as the inclusion of the charge of “moral turpitude”, which under Israeli law would result in a seven-year ban from politics.

This charge would challenge Mr Netanyahu’s vow to again lead the country after the current coalition of ideologically disparate parties – with little in common besides opposition to his leadership – ended his 12-year premiership last year. A leadership race within Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party would follow his departure from the political scene and speculation is rife over how such a contest would play out. Whatever the outcome, his trial appears to have widened the rift between Israeli citizens on opposing sides, and eroded trust in the judicial system.

Meanwhile, the Ra’am Arab party, which broke a longstanding taboo by joining the governing coalition last year, has managed to secure favourable policies and budgets for some of the Arab community’s causes. Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas recently told Ynetnews that for the first time in the state of Israel, they are equal partners, compromising to solve some of the pressing issues affecting the Arab community.

Although the Arab faction only comprises four members of the 61 lawmakers in the coalition, it is significant that there are Arab members in government, since Arab parties were previously in the opposition for 73 years, wanting no part in policies against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and viewed by their Jewish counterparts as potential security threats. Palestinian citizens comprise a fifth of Israel’s population and are generally poorer and less educated than Jews.

Arab voter turnout has also typically been lower than Jews. However, a political analyst believes voter turnout could increase substantially if the Arab public perceives what Mansour Abbas does as effective and transformative.

FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

ISRAEL
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Although the governing coalition faces multiple challenges – including satisfying eight parties, one of which is the first Arab party to be a member of a governing coalition – it is encouraging to see that it is possible for so many parties, including Jews and Muslim Arabs, to work together.

Although their diverse opinions have clashed, there appears to be enough the parties agree on, and the Arab community is receiving greater attention, including the poorer Bedouin Arab community. For example, Ra’am secured an unprecedented multibillion-dollar budget aimed at improving living conditions and minimising concerning crime rates in the Arab community. In the long-neglected Negev desert region, the government has begun the process of authorising some unrecognised Bedouin villages and connecting thousands of illegally built homes to electricity.

Nonetheless, Abbas has faced criticism from many sides, on the one hand being labelled a “terrorist sympathiser” by opposition ultra-nationalist lawmakers, and on the other, “a traitor” by some Palestinian citizens of Israel, and the West Bank, for recognising Israel as a Jewish state and supposedly forsaking the Palestinian cause.

Mr Abbas certainly has a fine line to walk, and thus the influence he has on both sides should not be underestimated. To this extent both his failures and achievements could greatly determine future Arab political engagement. As many believers continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6); those prayers should be directed towards the government, as the decisions this diverse government makes will greatly influence the peace within the country.

At the same time, this coalition displays cooperation between Jews and Arabs like no other government before, and thus carry a great responsibility that could deeply impact politics and peace within the country for generations to come.

Please pray with us for the following:

• For a just and speedy outcome to Mr Netanyahu’s case
• Thank the Lord for this opportunity for Jews and Arabs – typically enemies in many ways – to work together in government, and pray for God’s will to be done through this coalition, that His Kingdom be advanced through greater interactions between Jews and Arabs
• For a spiritual revival among Jews and Palestinians, that their eyes will be open to the truth of the Gospel.