Calls for New Elections After a Tumultuous Week in Israeli Politics
Government Dissolution
The Israeli unity government, formed in May 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic, has dissolved after only a year. On Sunday, December 20th, 2020, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party voted in favor of dissolving the government, citing a budget dispute with the centrist Blue and White party led by Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
Budget Dispute
The budget dispute stemmed from a disagreement over the allocation of funds for the West Bank settlements. Blue and White had proposed a budget that would have frozen funding for the settlements, while Likud insisted on allocating significant funds to them. The impasse led to the government’s inability to pass a budget before the December 23rd deadline, triggering the dissolution of the government.
Calls for New Elections
The dissolution of the government has prompted calls for new elections. President Reuven Rivlin has announced that he will set a date for elections within 21 days. The election is expected to be held in March 2021.
Political Turmoil
The dissolution of the unity government has plunged Israel into political turmoil. The country has been plagued by political instability in recent years, with four elections held in the past two years. The upcoming election will be the fifth in that period.
Netanyahu’s Motivation
Analysts believe that Netanyahu’s decision to dissolve the government was motivated by his desire to avoid giving up the premiership in November 2021, as per the power-sharing agreement with Gantz. By triggering new elections, Netanyahu hopes to secure a majority in the Knesset that would allow him to remain in power.
Implications for the Peace Process
The dissolution of the unity government has raised concerns about the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The government had been committed to a two-state solution, but the upcoming election could bring about a change in policy.
International Reaction
The international community has expressed concern over the dissolution of the Israeli unity government. The United States has called for the parties to work together to resolve their differences and avoid further instability. The European Union has urged Israel to respect the rule of law and democratic institutions.
Conclusion
The dissolution of the Israeli unity government has plunged the country into political turmoil. The upcoming election will be a test of the strength of Israeli democracy and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Kind regards
E. Thompson.
