Israel’s Governing Coalition has collapsed, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett resigning and calling for new elections. Once the Israeli Knesset confirms the announcement and schedules new elections, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will temporarily assume the mantle of leadership under a caretaker government.
Here to discuss is the former Mayor of Shiloh, David Rubin, who is also the author of seven books and founder of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund.
Q&A:
- What led to the stunning fall of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s coalition? Answer: Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapidformed an unlikely and very fragile coalition of the moderate Right, the moderate and extreme Left, as well as a party of anti-Israel Muslim radicals. They didn’t agree on many issues and the coalition was, in essence, doomed from the start. It’s amazing that it lasted a full year.
- What happens next? Answer: As per the coalition agreement, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid becomes lame duck Prime Minister until the new elections which are likely to be scheduled for September.
- What can we expect from a new election? Answer: Expect an intense and very fiercely fought campaign, with several parties fighting for their political lives, including that of the current Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
- Does this mean that we may see the return of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Answer: That is very possible. He is the leader of the largest political party, the Likud, so he will be the odds-on favorite, but of course, in a country with so many political parties and the need to form a governing majority after the elections, almost anything is possible.
- You are known to be an astute political observer. Any early predictions? Answer: Expect the return of Netanyahu and the Likud, along with his traditional allies on the Right, with possibly even Bennett joining a Netanyahu-led coalition, but as I said, it’s still a bit early to predict!
- You founded Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund for children who’ve been victimized by Islamic terrorism. Would a new government affect your programs in any way? And tell us more about what you do, how people can support your work or get more information?
Answer: The current government has been afraid of supporting the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, the so-called West Bank, because of opposition from the Biden administration and of course opposition from the anti-Israel Muslim party in Bennett’s coalition. A more right-wing coalition would certainly be more supportive, although helping terror victim children should really be a non-political consensus issue that everyone should want to support. The website for more information is www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org
BIO: David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of seven books, including Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel and Trump and the Jews. 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.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin at: jerry.specialguests@gmail.com or call 919-437-0001
