Israeli Politicians Vying to Oust Netanyahu Must Answer Some Questions First
On the day after Benjamin Netanyahu, millions of Israelis will take to the streets with joy in their hearts; they will feel great relief and even that they've been saved. The world will also be glad on that day, albeit less so. People abroad already understand that Netanyahu is not Israel's only problem.
That day is at hand. A new government will come to power in Israel, but astonishingly, not a single person knows where it is heading, what it wants and what it is planning other than to replace Netanyahu.
Not to say that this is not a lofty goal, but what happens on the day after? A hangover and then an emptiness. How can anyone embody such a big promise, and at such an hour of need, without saying a word about what they are offering, other than negating everything Netanyahu and his associates did? How can one aspire to be an alternative without charting some kind of course that is not just a bundle of hollow clichés about unity, Zionism, security and prosperity?
The next prime minister – obviously Gadi Eisenkot – will face mountains of rubble, and we don't have the faintest clue how he plans to extricate himself from them. Integrity, humility and simplicity are wonderful characteristics, but they are not enough. The more they disparage the destruction wrought by Netanyahu, the more the supporters of his replacement make do with vague promises: "The main thing is to get rid of him," or, "Let us get rid of him and then we'll see."
It isn't only that there a list of important issues hanging in the air – no one is even raising them. Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid and even Yair Golan: Will Israel under your government remain in Gaza? Until when and to what end? Will Israel withdraw completely or will it stay in the new occupation's borders? Will you remain in southern Lebanon? For how long and why? Do you oppose the memorandum of understanding with Iran? Do you believe that the Israel Defense Forces perpetrated war crimes in Gaza, yes or no? Will you apologize to Gaza? Will you talk to Hamas, the only sovereign in the Gaza Strip other than the IDF?
The numerous Israelis who will vote for you and whose hearts will gladden upon your victory deserve to know what you will do with the almost 150 new outposts and with the one million dunams (250,000 acres) Israel has taken over by force. Their dismantlement can be achieved in a matter of weeks, if you so desire. A declaration of intent is essential already at this stage. What will you do with the thousands of pogromists in the West Bank, and yes, they number many thousands. Their pogroms could end in a relatively short period if you so choose. This is a cowardly group that is brave only when facing the weak.
We deserve to know how you'll treat Palestinians. Will you bother meeting them? Will you leave in place all the draconian and cruel prohibitions that were imposed on them on October 8, 2023? Will the gates of the detention center open? Will you allow Palestinians to return to work in Israel? Will you release the thousands of incarcerated Palestinians who have not been brought to trial? Will you improve their conditions in the torture camps? Will you repeal the death sentence? Even on that you won't dare provide an answer: Avigdor Lieberman, your senior partner, wants to see gallows.
Let's return to what should be self-evident: The occupation is defining Israel, its regime and the world's relationship to Israel. Democracy did not die because of the judicial overhaul, or the legislation; it simply did not exist in a state in which close to half of its subjects have no rights. If you don't answer these questions, we won't know if Israel has been saved. Perhaps you could just say that you will release Marwan Barghouti, a move that could have a Nelson Mandela-like impact? Or at the very least Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya?
These are questions which must be raised before the election, with answers insisted upon now, not later, but there is no one in Israel to ask them and no one who will reply. The important issue is to get rid of Netanyahu? No, it's not.