Echoes of ‘67: Israel Unites - Orlando Sentinel
Those counseling Israeli submission, resignation or just endless patience can no longer dismiss Israel’s tough stance as the work of irredeemable right-wingers. Not with a government now representing 78 percent of the country
The Orlando Sentinel article does not go quite far enough. An (apparently) monolithic, insuperable unity government majority in the Knesset does not only serve notice to Iran. In one fell swoop, Netanyahu has cemented over any cracks in Israel’s international diplomatic facade. There will be no more meetings between American or EU officials and Israeli opposition ministers - there is no more opposition with any level of legitimate claim to the title. No more weak points where diplomatic leverage can be applied, no divide et impera tactics where you get to choose your Knesset dance partner. The message is clear, and is directed toward Washington, Paris and Brussels as much as it is towards Tehran, Cairo or Djidda: You want to talk to Israel, you talk to Bibi. Or don’t bother picking up the phone.
This move by Netanyahu does not automatically put Israel on a war footing. It does, however, shorten the road he needs to take to do so. It also sends the message that Israelis across the political spectrum are tired of being pushed around by Turkey, the UN, the anti-Israel media.
