With Israel's fourth election in two years entering its final stretch, President Reuven Rivlin warned on Tuesday that the ongoing political gridlock has could create a dangerous mistrust in government.
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Speaking at an event attended by top intelligence officials at the Israel Defense Forces, Rivlin said: "The continued political crisis not only emboldens those who want to exclude entire segments of society from our collective identity but also threatens the very trust people have in the institutions, in the democratic system, in our ability to debate and express criticism and in the end, to reach a common denominator and move Israel forward as a Jewish and democratic country, in unison."
The president further said that the IDF had a duty to represent Israeli society and maintain its inclusive status in order to help integration. "The notion that the IDF is the 'People's Army' is still very important, and even crucial, for maintaining our sense of collectiveness and strength," he stressed. "The IDF, true to the vision articulated by [Israel's first prime minister] David Ben-Gurion, should protect society from within and ensure we remain connected to one another even as it protects us from external threats," he continued.
Although Rivlin's duties are mainly ceremonial as the official figurehead, under Israeli law he is tasked with selecting a prime minister after the votes are tallied based on his assessment as to who has the best chance at securing the confidence of the Knesset.
If the March 23 vote ends with a hung parliament in which no party emerges with a clear mandate to form a coalition with its allies, Rivlin could become instrumental in arbitrating between the factions before he officially gives a nod to a specific person to form a government. But even then, there is no guarantee that a government would be sworn in or that it would remain stable, and many Israelis fear that the outcome of the vote this month would not change the political dynamics and at best only lead to a shortlived government.
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