When Naftali Bennett was appointed Prime Minister of Israel in June 2021, he held a 25-minute overlapping meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, which is less than a tenth of the time I overlapped when I started as a waiter at the Italian restaurant "Stromboli" in Afula, sometime in 1998. At the time it sounded strange to me, after all - Netanyahu explained to us in one of the last election rounds - the prime minister of Israel is one of the most complex positions in the world.
Today I understand that even 25 minutes is really above and beyond.
In his 12 years as prime minister, Netanyahu developed a system that was refined over the years.
A simple but ingenious method:
1. Do nothing.
2. If you are pressured - do nothing yet.
It prevents friction.
3. If they keep pressuring you - say you're going to do something.
But don't do anything.
4. If you are still pressed - talk about Iran, the previous government and the left.
5. If you are really, really being pressured - plan a move that will surely be rejected by the High Court because it is illegal.
6. Blame the High Court.
It's rare, but once in a while, the stars line up and I find myself agreeing on something with my friends on the right.
Recently, I find myself agreeing with them more strongly: "We must stop the madness", "Government now!" "The High Court is not the sovereign!".
Friends, you are right.
In recent decades, and even more so during Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure as Prime Minister, High Court judges have taken it upon themselves to deal with complex and explosive issues like no other, whether they are asylum seekers, or surrogates for LGBT people, the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox, or the evacuation of outposts.
I am the first to agree with my friends on the right that decisions of this type should and should be made by the Knesset, led by the government and its leader.
The problem is they don't.
Because Benjamin Netanyahu made the status quo the goal and standing still the goal.
Like a rabbit in the headlights of a car, he can't move an inch.
Once upon a time it was possible to argue with his political or economic positions.
What are they today?
Does he have any left?
Does anyone know?
The truth is that Bibi doesn't want to decide anymore.
He doesn't want to be the one to tell the ultra-Orthodox, "You know what?
It's okay, don't enlist.'
He doesn't want to be the one to tell the settlers "comrades, fold the basta, you can't get involved with the Americans".
He does not want to be the one to tell the asylum seekers to return to their countries, or to stay here.
Or just go.
Instead he prefers not to decide.
And if we have to decide?
It is better to decide and have the High Court annul the decision.
That way you can get along with everyone.
Did you want a full right?
you received
So where are the new settlements?
Why fight over the removal of Mount Darder or Ma'ale Abak C when you can establish a new official city in the territories, or two, or fifteen!
After all, the High Court authorized the construction of settlements a long time ago, what are you waiting for?
Did you want to evacuate the asylum seekers?
After all, the High Court gave the green light to put them on a plane to Kibinimet. And what about Khan al-Ahmar? Didn't we say that Khan al-Ahmar was being deported? Because the High Court allowed it already in 2018.
Let's dwell on the last example: in 2018, the High Court of Justice approved the evacuation of Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village on state land in Area C. In 2019, the Regavim association petitioned the High Court, demanding that the complex be moved forward.
In June 2019, Netanyahu asked for an extension of six months.
During the Lapid era, the High Court granted a final extension and demanded that the state explain why it is not removing Khan al-Ahmar.
So that Netanyahu could remove Khan al-Ahmar upon his return to the Prime Minister's office.
Even today he can.
Tomorrow too.
Spoiler?
He won't do it.
It goes like this:
There is a problem -> the Israeli government does not want to deal with the problem -> someone petitions the High Court -> the High Court orders the Israeli government to deal with the problem -> the Israeli government requests an extension to deal with the problem.
If you are really, really being pressured - plan a move that will surely be rejected by the High Court because it is illegal, then blame the High Court // Photo: Emil Salman,
Cigars or no cigars, I often bemoan my camp's obsessive preoccupation with the Netanyahu files, because they hide the simple fact: he is not that good at his job.
According to the reports, Netanyahu did not want to include the escalation clause in the coalition agreements.
Under the pressure of the ultra-Orthodox, who are opposed to a court ordering them to serve in the army, which obligates them to appoint neighborhood rabbis on an equal basis with the Reformers and Conservatives, who cancel public events for them in segregation (partial list), and under pressure from Smotrich who prefers to establish illegal outposts without interference, Netanyahu surrendered.
The High Court is his great benefactor.
On the face of it, he should have been the keynote speaker at the demonstration in Kaplan last Saturday.
Without the High Court, who will really run the country?, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
If it wasn't sad, it would be funny.
If it wasn't my country, I would say - go ahead.
Let's see you lose the ultimate excuse against the base.
If these were not the 18-year-old children of all of us, who will suddenly find themselves in front of the court in The Hague, I would say - on the contrary, underestimate the High Court.
Let's see you.
Let's see you, Bibi.
Just keep in mind that then you will really have to manage this country.
were we wrong
We will fix it!
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