A wasteful government? "We will not mend all positions" • Unity? "Expresses hope; David Grossman also supported" • Another official residence? "Irrelevant to Benny Gantz" • Special to "Israel this week": MK Hili Trooper reveals how to end the political crisis

• "Some said, 'Let Bibi crash with the Corona and the unemployed,' but we're not like that." Trooper

  Photography: 

  Oren Ben Hakun

"On Thursday, a week ago, it was clear that everything was exploding," Knesset member and designated minister Haley Trooper put us in the first coalition roller coaster. "My son announced that he was going to the elections. Negotiations were unsuccessful, and the headquarters was ordered to return to action. It was not a simple decision because after intense weeks, after white blue disintegrated and after the image damage was done - the price we would pay for the unity failure was heavy. But there was a red line that we did not agree to cross. " 

Trooper, Gantz's confidant, is not ready to find out what the boundary was; But a conversation with others who took part in the negotiations suggests that this is a personal legal clause that Netanyahu's people wanted to sew for. "Our election speech for the elections was already ready, and the Netanyahu bureau signaled that they were retreating. My son said he gives it up until Monday because he does not want to enter Holocaust Day with a political story in the air. ”Indeed, on the eve of Holocaust Day, the principle agreement was signed for a unity government. 

It is said that Netanyahu did Gantz a school, but education is the area of ​​Trooper, one of the prominent bridesmaids for the unity outline signed this week, an agreement that will be followed by legislation and only after the new government will be sworn in. 

Trooper (41) is number 6 in the Israel Resilience Party, which has turned into a blue. His rich resume includes the management of the Branco Weiss School in Ramla, the administration of the Department of Education, Welfare and Culture in Yeruham, the establishment of active associations for youth and adults, and a variety of social engagements. He is not afraid to say he was in favor of unity even before the last election: "This is not something I run away from. With Yair Lapid I have been talking about unity for six months, openly. There is an attempt to present a simplistic divide, as if someone in government is against democracy and someone outside is in favor. But even David, "who is not suspected of compromising democracy, or Elyakim Rubinstein, who has signed a petition against Netanyahu's actions - they both think that unity is needed." 

Trooper makes it clear: "You can hold a democratic position and also enter a unity government. I respect opponents like Yair Lapid or Ofer Shelah, I just expect them not to share dichotomously. I don't have to apologize. It's not that I care less about democracy and it's not that they want to tear the people down "Everybody made his own choice. They made a fourth election."

Benny Gantz // Photo: Gideon Markowitz

Trooper says that unity was the first thing he connected with Gantz when they met five years ago, drawing examples of Gantz's visits to Yeruham, and the financial contributions he made quietly for the needy, with the motto a national reconciliation. 

Did you bring it in?

"No. People see the Reconciliation Cabinet agreement and don't know where it came from, but it's from its heart and has been there for years."

Your campaign didn't really broadcast unity.

"If it depended only on us, it would have been different. For example, in elections B, before the publication of 'Secular Unity Government', my son was with me on Saturday and said to me: 'Not good for me, turning my stomach, it's hard for me to say that.' Easy with that and in retrospect he would choose another. Sometimes it is difficult to translate worldviews into political tools. " 

It's tough, but Trooper seems to be doing well. Throughout the conversation, he is careful to use a lot of language, to emphasize the entire party's partnership, to credit his parents who raised ten children for their accomplishments and style ("The credit for the good things comes to my parents. For the bad guys I take responsibility") and mostly raise the level of discussion from personal accounts. For value aspirations. Details such as his waiver of salary increases or a regular donation of his salary to charities, I find out in a random roaming on the net.

Maybe the value capabilities don't fit the situation?

"We show that in a valiant way, too, there is a chance. Mockery and cynicism were true from the beginning, but Gantz is the first after a decade with a prime minister's entry date, the first to bring cases and control of power centers. The one that today cannot be passed without Benny Gantz is politically powerful. It's our way. "

But what's your way? 

"We have presented a detailed platform on broad issues. In politics, as in life, it is a priority. Some of you achieve and some do not. Our priorities are Israel first of all."

That is?

"For the good of the citizens. For example, on the economic side, understand that the Israeli employment market must change. Much more anxious men and Arab women need to enter the labor market. The way Benny Gantz does this is to produce maximum incentives and training. Core, Gantz insisted on another language: "We will reward and incentivize those who learn core." In this way more will participate. Also in the drafting scheme - Gantz and Ashkenazi wrote that every 18-year-old, regardless of religion, race and nationality, will make a year of contribution to the state. Action, but first, create the right infrastructure and mechanism for that, taking into account the difference between the different communities. 

Yariv Levin // Photo: Gideon Markowitz

"The language of 'overcoming' and 'mowing down' the other side is not our language. We are tough people with solid attitudes, just know that if you decide today - you will be decisive tomorrow. It is not easy to say that, because people in the blue and white camp have a feeling that many times people In the second camp they have been mowed for ten years. "

"Millions vs. Billions"

We'll go over some points in the agreement. It started with an official residence for the additional prime minister, and became "alternative housing.

" "This section is irrelevant to us. My son has lived in the same modest house for years and does not intend to move away. "

You make changes to the Basic Law in person for the needs of Gantz and Netanyahu. Isn't that a bad norm? 

"The president's outline is largely the basis for how to rotate even though there is a lack of confidence. Obviously, I would rather have two leaders sit down and say 'word for word' and sign it. In the worlds I come from - this is the language. "Sometimes I also feel uncomfortable about some of the things, but in the end I look up and see the big picture."

Which section makes you feel most uncomfortable?

"The general government. We wanted a lean government, Benny Gantz fought for it as best we could. We will not mishandle everything. Section 12 describes how equality will be preserved if one of the parties does not mishandle all positions, we will have a double vote or be offset. And still, more expensive elections Much more. It's millions versus billions. "

Article 30 states that unless the budget is passed on the agreed date, the party that failed to transfer the budget will be considered responsible, and a prime minister's exchange will be carried out in a manner that will trigger elections. That means Netanyahu could be prime minister until January 2021, then go to the election and maybe win.

"It is not simply written that the budget will only go for two years, because a budget can be a distrust. Therefore, the budget will now also be transferred to Gantz's first term so that it cannot be overthrown. Whoever dissolves the Knesset will automatically become the prime minister and this is the position from which we will run for elections. ". 

So in a year and a half Netanyahu can overthrow a government, before Gantz served, when it is clear that white and white have no electoral power.

"You have to choose whether to live on suspicions and violations or be feasible, do maximum actions that secure the agreement and choose hope. Anyone who wants to read the agreement in the search for holes - will find. But the glasses should be from a leader who sees what is good for Israel. I think the public will not forgive who That would lead him to the elections like he would not now forgive those who would lead him to another system. "

Is there a situation that Netanyahu is beginning his term, leaving to handle his legal affairs when Gantz is in charge of the government in the meantime, but six months before the election he will complete the post, with his full political powers?

"No. Even before the agreement is approved, we will pass legislation in the Knesset, which will also enshrine a situation where, if one of them needs time off, it is for health issues only."

"I am an extreme center"

You took the state to three election committees on a judicial nomination committee, and in the end who can veto this is Benjamin Netanyahu, who is himself on trial. 

"The Judiciary Committee has 9 members. In order to appoint a top judge, a majority of 7 out of 9, and the committee has 3 top judges, and our own Avi Nissenkorn, Zvika Hauser - I've already heard a theory that is Bibi's implant but is a free man in his views. This has always been in the internal agreement of let me and you, and so it will continue. The insistence was that the model will continue. Even those who attack from the left, I mention: there was Amir Ohana, there was Eilat Shaked, now it is Nissenkorn. Proportion. Opposition representative, that in a government close to 80 MKs has a mass representation. And the party chairman on our behalf, that's what's important. "

How about a right-wing entry into government? 

"It's not so much in my field. I'm surprised if a party that talks so much about unity is left out."

What would you point to when you asked for annexation to come up? 

"In principle, I think the law should be applied in the Valley, but we must first understand what it means. We signed that any such move should not violate existing peace agreements. I will examine the timing and prices."

What ideological points did the Likud insist on?

"Sovereignty, a committee for appointing judges. They say it's not from ideology, but I really respect ideological rivals. For example, Yariv Levin comes to this thing as ideologically interesting." 

Talk about land, construction, anything?

"It has been agreed that in the first half of this year it is an emergency government, dealing in Corona and rehabilitation until basic lines are summarized." 

How do you define yourself politically?

"I'm inclined to the right from the center politically, and to the left from the center socially. I'm an extreme center man." 

Center defines itself by the margins.

"No. Part of the ideal of blue and white is to express the voice of the Israeli center." 

But the voice of the center is a result of the left collapsing, the right-wing officer ... It's not ideology - it's a compromise.

"A compromise discourse is an ideological position. When it becomes paralysis and anemia I despise it. But sometimes it creates the best response."

Want a social office

Which office do you most want to serve as a minister?

"The personal question will only come up after everything is approved. I'll sit with Benny Gantz and see, but something social. It's my world."

Do you still write to my son his speeches?

"I'm one of the writers, we're in some ping pong."

In the next election, will there be a blue and white party?

"In Judaism, on the one hand, people are always scared, on the other not to be afraid at all. I have heard obituaries about us for a year. But we are here to stay. We have come to do good for Israeli society, we have not come for a career."

Why didn't you support a transitional government from the outside? 

"Israel cannot afford a transitional government. We have been running without a budget for a year and a half, with limited capacity in terms of appointments and decision-making. Even worse during a crisis, politically, what is the logic of giving a free gift to a government we oppose? An absolute majority of blue voters White want a unity government, an absolute majority of Israeli citizens want a unity government. " 

Maybe it's despair?

“It’s not in our DNA to be discouraged. The people have been embarrassed by the leadership over the past year, the support of unity expressing hope. A fourth choice in the Corona crisis is to say: 'You are struggling for a living, and with children, and you haven't seen your parents for weeks, but we will continue to throw stones at each other.' This is neither leadership nor responsibility, and to my delight my son Gantz does not wink at this material. By the way, there were some who told us, 'Let Bibi crash with the corona, that all the unemployed will fly on his head.' But we're not like that. " 

Trooper. Passing media baptism // Photo: Oren Ben Hakun

Trooper, a consensus man, is now undergoing a media and social fire baptism. "I first met poison," he shares, showing a selection of whatsapp messages he received this week: "You made us a second holocaust"; "It's more of a disgrace than Yom Kippur" and another of blessings and best wishes. "I make sure to answer everyone who writes to me. If someone writes really poisoned I will not respond, but politics has taught me that people turn out in pain, and I respect their pain. Proportions. So they attacked me on TV, so what. Most opponents believe me, even when they disagree. " 

Do you believe in Netanyahu?

He is silent and deliberates for a long time. "I usually shy away from personal questions, and certainly at this time. There is a shared responsibility."