How are the coalition negotiations different these past few days from other days? On all other days, leaders of small parties try to win voters in order to pass the electoral threshold, but during negotiations, the ruling party tries to sway them to form a coalition.
Israel faces many challenges on national security and the economy. Iran is inflaming the Middle East along its northern and southern borders and the U.S. is prepared to deal with the Iranian threat and defend its allies in the region.
Soon Trump's "deal of the century" will be published, posing an ideological challenge for those on the Right. Business-types prefer quick deals that yield concrete results and encompass a clear vision.
This past decade the Israeli economy has seen many great accomplishments, but it will have to adapt to changes in international trade. The new coalition will also have to deal with a long list of tasks.
In order to meet its goals and challenges, a stable government must be formed quickly. As a former soldier of the Armored Corps, I have learned that sometimes in order to get things done you need to plow forward.
The demands by some of the future coalition partners – some which are completely exaggerated – can be resolved quickly, but only if politicians understand the urgency of the moment. Israel has no time to waste.
Leaders of political parties need to understand that the election is over – leave the clichés and slogans for next time. Focus on actions, not words.
The debate over haredi enlistment in the military has troubled Israel since its establishment and may never end. You can't draft people who don't want to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, whether they're haredim or pacifists. And frankly, does the military really need such recruits?
Having said that, the ultra-Orthodox leadership must exercise sensitivity and agree that Torah study should not serve merely as a way to avoid conscription by falsely registering as a yeshiva student.
Some parties only want to get funding for their constituents. However, it is imperative to grasp that the public has many needs and the government has to make a list of priorities. If everyone fights over the resources, there won't be enough to go around and we all lose.
These parties use their lofty words and ideology as a means to gain portfolios and power. Unfortunately, because of how our system works, parties that have received few seats demand key positions in the government. That should not be the case, and party leaders should act with modesty.
I believe that a coalition will be formed in time because the negotiating parties emerged battered and bruised from this past election cycle and the last thing they want is a repeat.
Such behavior has only encouraged the judicial branch to view the executive and legislative branches as inferior. But it can be fixed if the elected officials change their behavior.
