Israeli parties pitch to ‘Anglo’ voters

Like a partially-digested falafel ball, elections are repeating on the Israeli public, which, on 23 March, heads to the polls for the fourth time in two years.

Unsurprisingly, fatigue and frustration have set in. The votes continue to be referenda on Benjamin Netanyahu, the incumbent but criminally indicted prime minister.

There is little change in the political landscape that promises a radically different election result.

Nevertheless, it’s important to know what Israel’s parties are for and against. On 7 March, World Mizrachi and the South African Zionist Federation hosted an online forum with the leadership of eight of Israel’s many political parties. Some were asked how they would appeal to English-speakers, affectionately known as “Anglos”.

First up, host Gil Hoffman, chief political correspondent of The Jerusalem Post, introduced Naftali Bennett, the leader of Yamina (Rightwards). It’s the latest incarnation of splits and mergers of right-wing parties, and has three of the Knesset’s 120 seats.

“We must replace Netanyahu with respect,” Bennett said. Like many speakers, he highlighted the expectation of better public services from Anglos. He said he had a “Singapore” economic plan, to slash taxes, reduce bureaucracy, and attract massive foreign investment.

The once-mighty left-leaning Labour Party that formed all Israeli governments from 1948 to 1977, has been reduced to a paltry two Knesset seats. New party head Merav Michaeli said only Labour promised a future for Jewish and non-Jewish Israelis, and Jews from non-Orthodox backgrounds that clash with the rabbinate.

After failing to unseat Netanyahu in Likud, Gideon Sa’ar formed the Tikvah Chadashah (New Hope) Party, not yet represented in the Knesset. Preaching unity while aiming at disgruntled Likudniks, he claimed his party would end the loop of political, social, and economic instability of the past two years. Netanyahu had “done some good things, but he is now preferring his personal interests to the good of the country”, Sa’ar said. His promises include changing the electoral system to increase accountability, the devolution of powers to local level, educational reforms, and approving a new budget.

Likud (36 seats) was represented by Gila Gamliel, the minister of environmental protection. She trumpeted Netanyahu’s achievements, saying that COVID-19 had stressed the need for experienced leadership and quick action. Netanyahu had made Israel lead the world in administering vaccinations, and the economy would bounce back rapidly from the pandemic. The relationship with the United States remained strong under the Biden administration, and the Abraham Accords with Arab states were already bearing fruit. Gamliel urged voters to support the centre-right.

Next up, the leader of Kachol Lavan (Blue and White), defence minister and alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz gave veiled criticism of Netanyahu. He said the government wasn’t “about politicians surviving, but being public servants to help real people”. His alliance has haemorrhaged seats, being left with just 12 members of the Knesset. Gantz said the party had paid a price for going into government with Likud to fight COVID-19, “but we had to do what’s right. I’m proud to serve every citizen with honesty and integrity, and Blue and White stands for these values”.

Yitzchak Pindrus from United Torah Judaism, (Yahadut HaTora), (seven seats) claimed religion was more important in Israel than it was 70 years ago, and that giving up land for peace was less of an issue today. He said UTJ stood for a stronger economy, the rights of citizens, cutting bureaucracy, and preserving Jewish values. In the short term, he is focusing on easing travel to and from Israel under lockdown conditions.

Centrist Yesh Atid (There is a Future) was represented by party leader Yair Lapid. It has 16 Knesset seats. He characterised Israel’s situation as “crazy”, with 90 000 small businesses closed and reportedly one million Israelis unemployed. Lapid decried having 36 ministers, and the support Netanyahu was receiving from them.

Finally, Bezalel Smotrich, the head of Hatzionut HaDatit, the Religious Zionist Party (two seats), said voting was a matter of identity and that his party held disproportionate power to influence portfolios such as education. Anglos left their countries by choice to make aliyah, he said, and had the interests of the Jewish people at heart.

Conspicuous by its absence was any talk about the Palestinians. There is an anxious wait to see what the election delivers, or whether there might need to be a fifth election thereafter.