On Friday, just before Shabbat and right after meeting all the party leaders on the Left, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett wrote a new Facebook post on the status of the negotiations, saying that the unbridgeable ideological differences between his would-be government's factions would not stop it from being formed.
He said that the government "will operate with the understanding that not all the disagreements that have divided the Left and the Right for over 70 years should be resolved right away." He said it won't be easy, but "there is goodwill." He then tried to reassure the Right that he would preserve his core right-wing values and asked people not to engage in the "orchestrated offensive" against him.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
I am not sure the authentic criticism he has faced from the grassroots level qualifies as an "offensive," let alone an "orchestrated" one. But I agree that some lines should not be crossed when criticizing him. In fact, rather than criticizing him, I think it would be better if he is presented with a clear public demand to explain what he means by "core values," just before he finalizes his government.
The ongoing escalation in Jerusalem and the fumes of conflict that are filling the air can provide the necessary reasoning for demanding an explanation for his moves. If he plans to form a government of change, then he is duty-bound to tell us what he would be doing differently.
The campaign is over, and the promises and statements he made no longer have any meaning. We no longer expect any coherent statements from Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, and we pretty much know what various MKs on the Left think regarding what is unfolding in Jerusalem. But Mr. Bennett, what are your views on the issues at hand, as the presumptive prime minister? Assuming you get to swear in a government in the coming days, what policies are you going to pursue? What instructions will you give the security forces? What are your policy tenets going to be?
I am focusing on Jerusalem for a reason because the violence has managed to shatter the myth that all you need in order to govern Israel is "goodwill" and mutual understanding. With all due respect to helping heal society, there is a reality out there. And the way things stand now, none of our adversaries seems poised to take a year of sabbatical to allow Lapid and Bennett some time to heal our society. Not Syria, not Iran, not Hezbollah, not Hamas, and no other group currently waging aggression toward us.
Yes, a prime ministerial hopeful can lash out against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and join the protest movement until the cows come home, but at the end of the day, he too has to stand before the people and explain in detail what his policy positions are regarding our various challenges in the near and long term.
He has to do this now. It is the fair thing to do, for Israelis en masse and for right-wingers in particular, who feel that the new government would lack any vision. But it's also the right thing to do when it comes to Bennett's would-be coalition partners. Doesn't Meretz need to know how the government will deal with the protests in Jerusalem? Doesn't Labor deserve to know what his views are on the Iran nuclear deal? And doesn't Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, who has vowed to protect the courts, deserve to know what his policies on judicial reforms are?
But such explanations are unlikely to be shared with the public anytime soon, especially not from Bennett, because as soon as someone in the "coalition of change" will say something, the bubble will burst. That's why they are all observing radio silence now, making sure to disguise their views and muddle their opinions on key matters. Such a bizarre approach is irresponsible. It's the classic mentality of "things will be OK," but on steroids, because – to quote Bennett himself – "all that matters is that we get a government sworn in."
But that is just wrong. It's best if this bubble bursts now before a government is formed. It's best if this government is over before it begins, lest its contradictions inflict harm on us. If this means another early election, so be it, and in fact, this would be better than having a new government that lacks policy and is too shellshocked to deal with the dynamic and complex reality we are facing.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
