No less than defeating his enemies on the left, Netanyahu settled his account with his opponents on the right the other day.
Bennett, Lieberman, Sa'ar, Elkin, Hauser, Ya'alon, Handel, Shaked and the other right-wing politicians who refused to align themselves according to his dictates found themselves in the opposition at best - and at home at worst.
There are no coincidences here.
Netanyahu conducts an ideological struggle against the left, but engages in wars of annihilation against right-wing politicians.
In his eyes, criticism from the right is always a challenge to his rule and its essence, even though the expectations for him to function as the leader of the right "full-on" were not intended in most cases to threaten him politically.
It is a mistake on his part and on the part of his family to interpret things that way.
In fact, the opposite is true.
Precisely because Netanyahu is so valued, the hopes on the right were and remain that he will fulfill this world view.
The ideological cohesion that currently prevails in the right-wing bloc will prove this.
Saar, Bennett and Lieberman.
Netanyahu embarks on annihilating wars against right-wing politicians, photo: Amit Shaavi
Ben Gabir, Smotrich, Zohar, Karai or Levin have no ambition to replace Netanyahu.
All they want is the implementation of their world view and that of their voters: changing the balances vis-à-vis the judicial system and returning power to the Knesset;
Restoring governance and personal security throughout the country and in areas C in the Yash; stopping the Arab takeover of the country; returning the power of deterrence to the IDF and its soldiers.
These expectations are, of course, added to the general needs, such as lowering the cost of living and housing prices, and returning the constitutional situation of a single prime minister, without pretense and without reserves, to its original state.
Smotrich and Ben Gvir.
Netanyahu enjoys a large and secure coalition in which no one challenges him, photo: Yehuda Peretz
In all the previous times he was elected Prime Minister, Netanyahu hid behind left-wing elements, whether in the coalition or in the attorney general's office, in order to avoid right-wing marches.
It was the disappointment from this that gave rise to the criticism from home.
Now that he enjoys a large and safe coalition in which no one challenges him, and when he knows that on the other side of the map they are only looking for ways to overthrow him, Netanyahu must function as the leader of the right until the end.
No excuses and no evasions, with responsibility and no smears.
When he is 73 years old, starting his sixth term and undoubtedly the undisputed leader of Israel, he is allowed to be who he really is.
If he does so, his government will fill its days with ease.
Equally important, if he implements the policy that his voters asked for, he will correct the impression left by his past non-right-wing moves.
This is how his legacy will be established as it should be: the leader of the right.
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