Guest: David Rubin from Jerusalem via phone or Skype
The frustrating left-right deadlock in Israel is about to be broken, as Benny Gantz leader of the left-of-center Blue and White party has signaled his intention to form a unity government with right-of-center Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his more ideological right-wing partners. The bedlam was prompted when Gantz’s intentions became known, prompting a bitter rebellion of the left-wing of his party.
Here to explain is David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh, Israel and the author of “Trump and the Jews”.
Suggested Q&A:
- What has caused this sudden political upheaval in Israel? The Blue and White party has been suffering from tension between its more moderate elements that have wanted to join a unity coalition with Netanyahu and its more left-leaning members who refuse to serve in a right-wing coalition. The negotiations between Netanyahu and Gantz were reaching their conclusion, so a decision had to be made.
- What has actually happened? Will there be a unity coalition? It’s not yet official, but Netanyahu and Gantz have agreed to join together in a coalition. Half of Gantz’s Blue and White will join them, along with the entire 58-member right-wing bloc and several other members of the Left who are mainly focused on social issues. Altogether, the governing coalition will have a very solid 75-80 members, close to two-thirds of the Knesset.
- Will Netanyahu continue to serve as Prime Minister? Netanyahu and Gantz will serve in rotation. Netanyahu will serve first for either one and a half or two years, then Gantz for the same amount of time.
- How will this impact Israeli policy and the US-Israel relationship? Firstly, it will create stability for Israel, enabling it to confront multiple challenges, such as the Coronavirus, the economy, the nuclear threat from Iran, and the ongoing internal challenge of Islamic terrorism. It will also strengthen Netanyahu’s slightly right-of-center foreign policy, his conservative economic policy, and his strong relationship with President Trump and the United States leadership.
- Your book, Trump and the Jews, focuses on that very strategic relationship between Trump and Netanyahu, and, more importantly, between our two countries. Tell us about your book and where we might get a copy.
Answer: Through Israel’s electoral crisis, which has been going on for a full year now, President Trump has expressed his desire for a strong and stable Israeli government. He cares tremendously about Israel and his supportive actions have proven that, so I’m sure that Trump is satisfied with this turn of events. You can get a copy of my book Trump and the Jews, at www.Amazon.com . Just type in the words: Trump and the Jews, or go to my website www.DavidRubinIsrael.com
Bio: 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
