The Knesset may call an early election this week in light of ongoing spat between Yisrael Beytenu and Likud. Having Israelis go to the polls in September would be completely pointless, especially because of the clear mandate Israelis gave the Right in the April 9 election.
So just why is Yisrael Beytenu, which has 5 seats in the Knesset, dragging an entire nation into this mess? How come a small party can make extortionist demands that could result in such a drastic political development?
The answer lies with Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman's sense of power. He is convinced that Netanyahu would not be able to swear in a government without him, not now and not after the next election.
Lieberman has always had a de facto monopoly over the so-called "Russian electorate" in Israel, and this is what contributed to his sense of power, even during tough times politically.
Russian-speaking voters have allied themselves with Lieberman and gave him this monopolistic status because other Israeli politicians have repeatedly ignored them. The Left stopped caring about them because they have right-wing views, and the Right has simply given up trying to convince them to ditch Lieberman, figuring this would be a waste of time.
About 75% of Russian-speaking voters say they support the Right, but this has been a one-way street. This electorate is significantly underrepresented in right-wing political circles despite being one of its main pillars of support, along with national religious voters, who are duly represented in many right-wing circles.
The neglect of Russian-speaking voters dealt a crushing blow to two right-wing parties in the April 9 election. The New Right, headed by Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, did not place any Russian speakers on their candidate list. This was part of why the party failed to pass the minimum electoral threshold and won zero Knesset seats.
Likewise, the Likud ignored this electorate (not for the first time), with zero campaigning on the Russian street and zero Russian candidates. This was a tactical decision, figuring it would be best not to take away votes from Lieberman so as to minimize the risk of it not passing the electoral threshold.
This was a mistake that might cost all of us dearly because Lieberman and Likud are now engaged in a tit-for-tat that could result in a new election being called, with millions of shekels going down the drain. Had Likud courted them, they could have given the party another five seats.
Former Likud Prime Minister Menachem Begin brought into his tent voters from Middle East and North African descent, and this ensured the Likud would continue to be in power for many more years.
The Right must strike a similar bond with Israelis from the former Soviet Union. It is high time that the Israeli Right tap the vast potential of this group and welcome them to its fold and give them leadership positions. Likud, being the party in power, should lead this effort. Hopefully, this will result in a small party like Yisrael Beytenu no longer being necessary, and no longer being in a position to make over-the-top demands.
