The decision to postpone local elections by a month is little consolation. There is a reasonable chance that Israel will still be there in the midst of a war, perhaps even on another front.
Still, moving the date by a month felt like a small victory for justice, mainly because the alternative seemed so far-fetched — holding elections at the end of the month, when nearly 700 soldiers sent by the state to defend it couldn't exercise their civil right — to be elected as candidates in 144 municipalities. Netanyahu made the decision at the last minute, a day before postponement became impossible, and when he succumbed to pressure from his partners in the government, including Shas, which initially supported early elections.
Shas Chairman Deri understood the farce two weeks ago. In response to a question from Israel Hayom, he announced that he would support postponing the local elections. Netanyahu responded to requests on the issue only on Saturday night, only then did he say that the right thing to do was simply to postpone, not to hold elections in wartime, when so many were sent to the front and the civilian agenda also includes funerals and many worries.
Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I will recommend postponing the local elections to the end of February" // Photo: GPO
His partners in the government paved the way for him, and when it was no longer possible to withstand public pressure, he was required to stand up to the mayors of the Likud, who supported the elections in January, and presented his position. A month too late.
Other important decisions and decisions are on the agenda, and Netanyahu must also maneuver between internal and external pressures. Thus, for example, the extension of the term of the IPS commissioner, whose term will end at the end of the month.
Voting in local elections (archive), photo: uncredited
Minister Ben-Gvir is demanding her replacement, and his senior partner Gantz is demanding that the appointments be extended in accordance with coalition agreements. This decision too seems to be waiting until the last minute, Netanyahu on the one hand trying to preserve his government and on the other hand also his new-old partner throughout a war whose end is not in sight.
This week, friends from America will once again join the pressure brace. Secretary of State Blinken is expected to land here in order to know what Israel is planning for the day after in Gaza, while official discussions on the issue have not yet begun. Netanyahu's cabinet partners reminded him that weighty policy decisions require discussions in a forum in which they too have a finger – the political cabinet and the cabinet plenum.
Accountability
Americans would prefer decisions in the small cabinet, where the mood tends to reflect their opinion. The only thing to do is that voters for the Democratic administration are not required to live in Israel the day after. Decisions on the security of civilians here should be made in forums that will also be able to be held accountable when necessary.
Netanyahu must navigate delicately between maintaining his government and a strong ally, mediating Israel's citizens and their fate. What should guide him is the same fate of a people thousands of years old in the Third Kingdom, ensuring Israel's security on all borders and risking political credit whose patience is running short. In such a situation, it is impossible to compromise on abandoning control of the Philadelphi route to Egypt, it is forbidden to rebuild defensive walls instead of completing the mission in Gaza, and under no circumstances should the opening of the front in the north be left to Hezbollah's decision.
To the questions of government ministers, Netanyahu gave all the correct answers: the Philadelphi route is required for Israeli control, the plans for the north are ready, and there is a commitment to open-fire procedures that are not subject to any diplomatic pressure. But reality and only it will be the test of the prime minister's performance. Promises of deterrence have already been made in previous chapters of governments over the past decade – now is the time to implement it, and despite the practice in the Prime Minister's Office, there are decisions that are better not to postpone.
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