20 March 2019, 01:47 PM
AmandaKeep your fingers crossed on April 9 (Edited)
A decent centrist opposition with a reasonable chance of winning has formed against Netanyahu. The new "Blue-White" party founded late last year has been steadily morphing into a real challenge.
Actually, there are two candidates (they say they'd lead together in their coalition system), serving alternatively as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, cooperatively. Given their complementary backgrounds they'd hopefully be all the more able to beat Netanyahu. Sounds much like putting together a contest against Trump if we could pull off such a maneuver (see NYTimes article describing the candidates and their backgrounds. They compare it to getting Colin Powell and Joe Biden to run together!
).quote:Benny Gantz, a former chief of staff of the army and a political rookie, and Yair Lapid, a former journalist and finance minister, came together to form Blue and White. (Mr. Gantz would serve as prime minister first, with Mr. Lapid as foreign minister.) The centrist party is named after the colors of the flag;
Since understandably, Israel's primary focus is national security (unlike here, unless you think Palestinian terrorists compare to the alleged Mexican threat), Netanyahu stayed in power because he was the only leader who seemed "strong" enough to protect the nation, however much he aroused disgust among so many. Now we have challengers to him who seem at least as able to make them feel safe - and hopefully also improve Israel's reputation, so muddied under Netanyahu.
Wish I could afford to fly back like some citizens just to vote in the election. It's not only the airfare cost, but knowing hotels will be jammed and besides I need extra assistance ($$) on account of my back.
Can this man oust Netanyahu?
PS Note that when Lapid commented favorably about Trump it's entirely a matter of Jerusalem. He chose his words carefully.