Netanyahu Struggling to Create a Ruling Hard Right Coalition Regime

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Apartheid right wing parties won a super-majority in Israel's April 9 Knesset elections.

Given 28 days to form a ruling coalition regime, Netanyahu stumbled straightaway, failed to accomplish his goal, got an extra two weeks to keep trying, two days remaining in his allotted time.

If he's unable to cobble together a ruling coalition, several options remain. Opposition rival Benny Gantz could be asked to try accomplishing what he failed to achieve, new Knesset elections could be called, or a sub-majority coalition could rule if approved by most Knesset members.

Last month, Netanyahu assured supporters that these alternatives wouldn't happen, his spokesman Yonatan Ulrich saying: 

"We will establish a right-wing government as soon as possible, likely within a month" — Netanyahu to become Israel's longest-serving prime minister if he accomplishes his goal, 48 hours left to do it, May 29 his deadline.

So far, talks with other hard right parties are in deadlock, Yisrael Beiteinu head Avigdor Lieberman and ultra-orthodox parties failing to resolve differences.

On Sunday, a frustrated Netanyahu said "I don't think we need to drag the country through an additional election, but it seems that there is someone who wants that," referring to Lieberman.

A major sticking point is legislation that would draft ultra-orthodox men, compelling them to serve in the IDF like other Israelis of draft age.

Netanyahu claimed 90% progress was made toward resolving Lieberman's position on this issue, believing he's holding out to try forcing new elections, adding:

"(I)f a solution is not found by midnight Wednesday, (his Likud party) will present a bill to dissolve the Knesset in three readings," new elections to follow.

According to Lieberman, he's holding out over the the conscription law, wanting ultra-orthodox Israeli men of draft age to serve. If not, he prefers new elections even though they may replicate results on April 9. 

Likudniks are preparing for them if resolution on this issue isn't achieved by Wednesday. Lieberman posted the following on Facebook, saying:

"During the election campaign and after the election we said in a clear and public manner that we would only support Netanyahu as the candidate to form the government, and this was our recommendation to the president," adding: 

"We rejected every offer we got from different entities to tread other paths. Today, too, we say loud and clear that we won't recommend anyone else for prime minister."

If new elections are held, "the people will determine whether they want a right-wing government or an ultra-orthodox  government."

With most Israelis harmed by neoliberal harshness like their counterparts in Western societies, it's hard understanding why they elect right-wing rule exploiting them.

The same illogic applies to the US, Canada, and European countries, dominated by hardline regimes, serving privileged interests exclusively at the expense of most others.

As of now, it's unclear if Netanyahu remain prime minister. On Saturday, tens of thousands of Israelis rallied against his attempt to pass legislation aimed at curbing High Court powers.

He wants to usurp more power than already. Facing indictment for bribery, breach of trust and fraud following a hearing on his case postponed until October, he also aims undermine efforts to hold him accountable for offenses no ordinary Israeli would get away with.

He hopes to beat the rap on multiple counts, his most serious offenses left unaddressed, relating to high crimes or war and against humanity, along with hundreds of Gazans killed and thousands injured during peaceful Breaking the Siege/Great March of Return demonstrations since March 30 2018.

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