It looks like an event that happened here decades ago, but that was only last June. The country was in turmoil, the studios opened live broadcasts, and in today's perspective it seems funny, but then it was a big drama: Tali Gottlieb insisted on running for a place on the Judicial Appointments Committee, contrary to the prime minister's position.
"The People Have Spoken": Inauguration of the 25th Knesset // Knesset Channel
A very difficult conversation took place in the room, the party leaders shouted at Gottlieb that she was not disciplined and that she was destroying their agreements. Deri came out of the office upset and was heard telling his people, in an uncharacteristic statement: "We have a crazy coalition."
Deri's frustration was clear. A full-fledged right-wing government was supposed to be easy, perhaps the easiest to manage and operate. All partners have corresponding agendas on almost every issue: political, security, economic, religion and state. No one wants to replace or undermine Netanyahu's authority. Even constant friction from previous governments, over religion and state and haredi recruitment, has disappeared from the landscape thanks to the great closeness of the partners to the positions of the haredi world.
Frustrated. Deri during the coalition negotiations, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
It began with coalition negotiations, which were supposed to end in three days and lasted two months, and ended with nearly 40 ministers and embarrassing rotations.
Expectations, power – and power
This government had potential. The prominent sectoralism that characterizes it should not have become a weak point – on the contrary, it could have been announced that in the first year they deal only with things that bother everyone: the burdensome cost of living, lifting the health system, upgrading the education system, security, and an agreement with Saudi Arabia that was around the corner.
In the government, they would bring achievements, allay the fears, and then promote all the other important agendas, because election promises must be kept, but they could be done after all parts of the people feel that in the first year the work is done for everyone.
First dispel fear, then promote agendas. Demonstration in Kaplan, photo: Reuters
Until before the darkness fell on us at 7.10, we could still see some beautiful achievements in the past year: the state budget, which in the past would tear up governments and lead to elections, passed relatively quickly; Regulating ten localities in Judea and Samaria, credit points for children, opening the market to competition, and yes – the legal reform was also just, only done in a peaceful way.
Expectations were great, maybe even too great. When you say "full-fledged right-wing government," you mean mainly an iron hand, harsh military responses, a zero-tolerance policy. Even before the Iron Sword War, during the three months of a "full-right" government, the State of Israel suffered gunfire in the north, gunfire in the south, murderous attacks in Judea and Samaria, riots on the Temple Mount, terrorists from East Jerusalem, and erosion of deterrence.
Expectations were too great. The murder of the brothers Hillel Weigel, February 2023, photo: TPS
Gantz's entry into the government in October following the Hamas attack has been a significant event over the past year, and may be the most significant event of next year. After years of a sharp political path – yes Bibi-no Bibi, pro-reform – Gantz persists with the middle way, and enjoys great popularity. It can teach something about what happened to politics this year, it can give hope for what will happen next year.
Sons of Darkness. Hamas attack on 7 October, photo: AFP
Netanyahu began his inauguration speech a year ago with a great promise: "In the next four years, we will work to ensure that Israel will be a world, prosperous and strong power, whose existence is no longer in doubt." The first impression of the past year is bad, and it is doubtful whether Netanyahu will have enough time to correct it.
Will correct the impression? Netanyahu on the day of the swearing-in of the government, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Picture of the Year 2023
Wives of coalition leaders,
Long before the legal reform, even before the formation of the government and shortly after the election victory, Sarah Netanyahu hosted the women of the coalition that emerged – Yaffa Deri, Ayala Ben-Gvir, Rivka Goldknopf, Galit Maoz – into a picture perceived by the liberal side as threatening and marked as "the new face of Israel." Later, as expected, came an unprecedented uprising against the government.
Hero of the Year - Gadi Eizenkot
He recently lost his dearest, his son Gal, who fell in battle, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
A former chief of staff who dedicated his life to the IDF, whose family mosaic consists of Ashkenazim, Mizrahim, secular, traditional and religious. He recently lost his dearest, his son Gal, who fell in battle. Modestly, humbly, professionally, without a shred of populism. There is no consensus from him, there is no Israeli from him.
Disappointment of the Year - Mansour Abbas
Settling for furry versus practical messages, photo: Coco
The man who was portrayed as the great hope between Jews and Arabs is content with furry messages in the face of historical atrocities. The chairman of his faction echoed a lie about an Israeli missile hitting a hospital in Gaza – and he remained silent. He promised to kick out a member of his party, who claimed they did not slaughter babies or rape women, and gave up.
Next Year's Promise - Uriel Bosso
There is a lot of work waiting for the Minister of Health. Uriel Bosso, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
During the war, and especially after it, a great deal of work awaits the Minister of Health. Thousands of Israelis will need physical and mental rehabilitation. Shas ministers are praised for their hard and efficient work, and there is hope that this will be the case now.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us