Intro: While Americans are understandably obsessed with President Trump’s post-U.S. election Tidal Wave, there is an equally large Undertow growing under the political waters of Israel.
The unlikely rising force in Israel is the right-wing Yamina Party, currently polling as the second most popular political party in Israel, with its charismatic young leadership of former Defense Minister and high-tech entrepreneur Naftali Bennet and his dynamic #2, the former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, possibly the most respected female legislator in Israeli politics.
Initially, political pundits dismissed the Yamina Party as a small, sectarian party, but Bennett’s popularity has skyrocketed during the Covid crisis, as he has proposed policies to open up the economy, while Netanyahu has repeatedly shut it down.
In the past, Prime Minister Netanyahu has chosen to form his governing coalitions with the Left, but this time, if the top finishers are Likud and Yamina, he may have no choice but to embrace Yamina to ensure his own political survival, with his corruption trial rapidly approaching.
Joining us is David Rubin, the former mayor of Shiloh in Israel, and the author of “Trump and the Jews”.
Q&A:
- We’ve witnessed early elections in Israel, an unprecedented three elections in a row, with virtually the same result, and now there’s talk of a fourth. What’s that all about? Israel is a rather unwieldly parliamentary democracy in which a majority of parliament is needed to form a governing coalition. After the last election, Prime Minister Netanyahu of the Likud formed a coalition with Benny Gantz of the left-of-center Blue and White party. It has been proven to be a two-headed government disaster. Imagine if Donald Trump and Joe Biden were “co-presidents”. It’s that bad. Furthermore, the only policy Netanyahu and Gantz agree on has been multiple Covid lockdowns, which have been very unpopular.
- In the past, Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is often referred to as a right-winger, has formed his government coalitions with the Left. Why does he do that? Two reasons: It’s sometimes the only way to get a solid majority in the Knesset. The other reason is that Netanyahu doesn’t have the courage of his convictions when it comes to really implementing conservative policies, so it’s easier to blame a left-of-center partner for his lack of right-wing accomplishments.
- As a previously small party making a stunning rise in the polls, what are the prospects in the upcoming elections of the Yamina Party and its two leaders, Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked? According to the latest polls, Yamina is solidly in second place behind Netanyahu’s Likud, not likely to overtake him, but they are slowly gaining ground. Bennett has been proposing some very popular, common sense Covid solutions to enable the economy and schools to stay fully open, as opposed to the current government policy of brutal lockdowns.
- How might the growing strength of Yamina impact the US-Israel relationship? If Netanyahu wins again but with Yamina on his tail, expect a strong right-wing coalition, economically and judicially conservative, but also leaning hard right on the question of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), as well as a stronger posture towards Iran, the Palestinians, and the various terrorist enemies like Hamas and Hezbollah. If Biden is president, there may be a chilling of the relationship, as the growing radical Left faction of the Democrat party has become increasingly anti-Israel.
- You wrote the book, “Trump and The Jews”, which examines the complexities in the US-Israel relationship. Where can people get a copy? They can get a copy at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or go to Amazon and type in the words, “Trump and the Jews”.
- You and your son were injured in a terror attack that led to your forming the charitable organization Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund. Tell us about that and how Americans might help you and your cause. My then three-year-old son and I were wounded by terrorists in a shooting attack on my car as we were on our waqy back from Jerusalem one day. I was shot in the leg and my son was shot in the head. From our personal trauma arose the Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, which integrates therapy and educational programs to heal trauma and rebuild young lives. For more information, I would urge people to go to www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin 919-437-0001 jerry@specialguests.com
About Mayor David Rubin:
David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of the book, “Trump and the Jews” and five other books.
Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, established after he and his then three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack.
He can be found at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or at http://www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin 919-437-0001 jerry@specialguests.com
