It's been one hundred days since the inception of the left-wing Naftali Bennett government and its ledger – and by default, our ledger – is deep in the red. The surplus column is virtually empty – whether in terms of our personal or national security, governance, diplomatic prowess, or the economy. On the other hand, the ledger's deficit column is overflowing.
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Let's start with credibility. Sadly, we can't believe one word from the mouth of the person in charge of the Israeli government. These are not just election promises turned to dust, but countless declarations he has made since entering office: that the coronavirus pandemic was under control; that the breach at Ben Gurion Airport was addressed; that the cross-border arson terror attacks from Gaza were stopped; that a new equation opposite Hamas had been established; and more and more bluster – nothing but pipe dreams.
In and of themselves – even before mentioning the fact that he chairs a party with a paltry six mandates, joined the far-left and a pro-terror party, holds a minuscule majority in the Knesset and has essentially shaken the foundations of Israeli democracy and Zionism to their core – his numerous false claims would be damning enough for a prime minister of Israel.
What credit then, if any, can we give Bennett and his government? After the two-year-long political crisis, Israel now has a functioning government, ministers with authority and outlined policies, a national budget that is expected to pass, and a prime minister who is encouraging his government to work. This is something, to be sure.
The problem, as stated by Benny Gantz, is that "the only thing that's changed is the newspaper headlines." Because aside from a handful of issues, such as the conversion reforms pursued by Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana and the allocation of more funds for the development of the Golan Heights, only the media seems to be feeling "the change and healing" promised to us by this government.
We've seen a deterioration in law enforcement, as highlighted by the escape of the six security prisoners, and the unprecedented personal attacks against a deputy police commissioner and member of Knesset. Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar's promises to reform the legal system and split the job of the attorney general into two roles have evaporated into thin air.
The COVID situation is terrible with record numbers of seriously ill patients, without restrictions but also without adequate testing – which is rendering the public helpless. Doctors are being forced to choose between the lives of elderly and young patients. Israel is plummeting in terms of all international parameters. This is not how to defeat a pandemic, it's how to lose lives.
And how is our healthcare system doing? Throughout Netanyahu's 12 years as prime minister, we heard endless prognostications portending the collapse of our hospitals. They indeed collapsed and shut their gates, but on the current prime minister's watch.
On the economic front, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman gave every minister and every party what they wanted, and many of the reforms were canceled or downsized. Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and Lieberman himself, all lambasted Netanyahu's biennial national budgets under the argument that they only served his political survival rather than the economy.
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