Since the American media called the US presidential elections in Democrat Joe Biden's favor, Israel's political system has been undergoing a process of "Bidenization."
Everyone is suddenly speaking in softer tones featuring a more moderate rhetoric against "polarization and hatred," ostensibly already gearing up for the day when the "local Trump" – namely Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – is ousted.
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Opposition Leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) recognized the developing trend in left-wing circles, and he recently delivered a reconciliatory speech aimed at Likud members he usually spars with from the plenum podium. His words remained as sharp as ever, but his tone was considerably softer.
The same goes for Yamina leader Naftali Bennett. "Under our leadership, no one will feel excluded. The Left will feel included because we will lead inclusive and respectful dialoged. No one will be made to feel as if they are less worthy. There will be no delegitimization and no one among us will be called an 'enemy of Israel.'"
Lapid and Bennet both were aiming their words at Netanyahu, who many in the Left see as US President Donald Trump's political twin.
The truth is that Netanyahu recognized even prior. Well ahead of the Nov. 3 election, he realized that the next global trend would be toning down the rhetoric and he nearly completely halted the attacks on members of the opposition, and of Blue and White, whose members have been crippling the government, and against law enforcement, despite the many opportunities that have come his way recently.
Hoping for a second term from Trump, Netanyahu was undoubtedly disappointed by Biden's victory. However, under the cold light of the political circumstances, the latter plays in Netanyahu's favor.
Netanyahu did not wait long to clarify what the new line is vis-à-vis the next administration and professed – for the Israeli public's sake – that he will pursue a firm stand on Israel's national interests.
The message the prime minister wants to convey is that when it comes to dealing with a less-favorable – potentially even semi-hostile administration in Washington – no one can rival him.
Who can the Israeli public trust to withstand the new administration's pressure to cede land to the Palestinians, Netanyahu will ask. Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, an anemic political novice? The inexperienced Bennett? A leftist leader who will surely buckle under pressure immediately?
Netanyahu knows that the Left's glee over Biden's victory won't last very long, nor does he see himself as Trump's "twin." And he has not said the final word.
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