It's no secret that I've always been a stalwart of several governments. The strength of Israeli society in its unity: Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, left and right. This does not obscure the disputes, which are the lifeblood of a living, kicking democracy, in order to pool resources and forces in the face of the existential challenges Israel has faced since its inception.

As someone who for years served as a minister in the Israeli governments in the Cabinet, the 17th Knesset Speaker and the current President of the State, I understand the depth and breadth of the crisis we are dealing with. In all the vital systems: economy, health, education, transport and welfare, this is a "construction evacuation" project from national economies we did not know so far, a new and complex challenge that requires extensive experience in managing state affairs.

That is why I find it difficult to understand the ultimatums set by my blue and white heads. In their insistence, they prove that their political interest precedes the national interest. Even more puzzling is the work of Amir Peretz, the chairman of the Labor Party. As a veteran politician who has seen one or two crises here, and as a ruler of the ruling party, I would expect him to act here and now and be the first, along with his party members, to join the government.

A multi-system event of this magnitude requires rich experience in managing state affairs. There is no room for a learning curve, so Netanyahu needs to continue to manage the crisis. I have suggested, therefore, that it be a broad government, in association with all the factions of the House. An operational emergency cabinet will be set up with representatives of all factions.

After a year, the parties will jointly decide on the further route. This week's Parsha "Wikhel" opens in the verse "Wikhel Moshe the whole of the Israelites." There is no right time for this to do the right thing - to gather all the testimony of the State of Israel.



The writer served as chair of the 17th Knesset