<<

migration became a defining political issue for nativ for issue political adefining became migration way the im of example another was affair entire The behalf. seekers’ asylum the on to intervene ability Court’s High the limit also would that legislation through necessary if deportation, forced to renew intention his announced he Instead, altogether. it day, abandoned he following the time by lunch and deal, the reevaluate” “to decided he midnight By immediately. course changed anyahu isters followed with criticism and warnings. Net min and pundits to several stay; seekers asylum the of even half allowing -against page Facebook own Netanyahu’s on them of –many comments media social posted Israelis of thousands followed, that hours the In right. the from backlash the to anticipate failed he but achievement,” unprecedented “an as Prime Minister Netanyahu described the agreement Western countries. in resettled be would half other the and borders, its within seekers asylums African 32,000 than more the of to half status residency temporary to grant was to deal, the According (UNHCR). Agency Refugee UN the and Israel between agreement an of signing the announced he which in ference, con news unexpected an called Netanyahu yamin Bin Minister Prime afternoon, early the In system. political Israeli the for day eventful an was 2 April Tel Aviv Journalist Sheizaf Regional Challenges Israel: between Political Crisis and |Middle and Overview East TurkeyGeographical 3 2 1 in-2017-1001217569 com/articles/0,7340,L-5198085,00.html vows-to-reopen-migrant-jails-after-deportation-plan-fails/ Moran P B ile arkat gg i A , T. “Netanyahu vows to reopen migrant jails after deportation plan fails.” Times of Israel fails.” plan deportation after jails migrant reopen to vows , T. “Netanyahu

zulay Amiram.“Israel’s economy grew 3% in 2017,” in 3% grew Globes economy Amiram.“Israel’s and Elior Elior and L evy . “Report: Equal number of , Muslims live from river to the sea.” Ynet sea.” News the to river from live Muslims Jews, of number Equal . “Report: 1 , 31 December 2017 www.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-economy-grew-3- , 31 December ------ues to lead the entire economy on a steady growth. a steady on economy entire the to lead ues contin sector high-tech the and decade, previous the of crisis financial the dogged has country The raelis. Is for better have been never things surface, the On and Prosperity Stability Political of A Decade equal in its size today to the number of Israeli Jews. Israeli of today to number size the its in equal population, indigenous an of presence the with Israel, of land historic the on State Jewish exclusive an of idea the –reconciling to solve able never was it that issue one the with again faced is Israel and stable, less and less becoming is Gaza and Bank West the in quo status the as time same at the ing happen is this all And tools. policy available only the coercion and force of use the make and leadership sions limit the manoeuvring abilities of the political ten these suggested, fiasco Seekers Asylum the As its one. longest serving and history recent in powerful most country’s criminal allegations against Mr. Netanyahu, the the surrounding drama by the transfixed is system political the elites;’ and old ‘the and populism wing right- between abattle in torn is society Jewish the ever. than But prosperous and stable more seems Entering its 8th decade since independence, Israel attached. fate is political Minister’s Prime the to which force, political a dominant became that right’ ‘new this is it countries, other many in than more Israel In ponents. op liberal their for as well as right, the on forces ist , 24 April 2018 www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu- , 24 April , 26 March 2018. www.ynetnews. March , 26 3 2 - - - - -

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 231 Geographical Overview | Middle East and Turkey Panorama IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 232 Geographical Overview | Middle East and Turkey Panorama articles/0,7340,L-5044785,00.html which prevented a national water crisis, plants, desalination the as –such projects national ernment completed or is about to complete major could complete more than four years in office. in years four than more complete could government current his and 2009, since power in to characterize Israel is gone – Netanyahu has been seems unlikely. The political instability which seemed 2011, in experienced Israel one the like protest, class wave middle of amajor but complaints, ing ongo for asource are housing of cost rising the and light rail is being built. Inequality is still relatively high Tel Even along-awaited Aviv Eilat. near airport tional interna anew and line, Tel train fast Aviv-Jerusalem africa-cape-town-water/ archive/2018/04/mohammed-bin-salman-iran-israel/557036/ 5 4 lication in based London, pub by aSaudi interviewed was staff of chief IDF’s the that secret, open an such become has which Arabia, Saudi with cooperation the is events of turn surprising most The ever did. breakthroughs matic away in few diplo Israel with stakeholders powerful for itLibya aligned Israel, importantly More and Iraq. Syria, toEgypt, in events issue Palestinian the from focus regional the shifted Spring Arab The hands. into Israel’s played have events also recent Many economy on asteady growth sector continues to lead the entire previous and decade, the high-tech dogged thehas financial crisisof the betterbeen country for The Israelis. things theOn surface, have never cuts. tax of rounds several in resulting at asurplus, is collecting tax government and years several for low been has Unemployment jor foreign currency income for the future. foreseeable ma guarantee discoveries gas natural vast and prices, at record investors to foreign sold are start-ups Israeli 8 7 6 news/business/netanyahu-adviser-high-growth-is-israel-s-new-normal-1.5465288 conducted-over-100-airstrikes-in-sinai-against-local-isis-1.5786828 Aiding Egypt, Israel Conducted ‘Over 100 Airstrikes’ Against ISIS in Sinai, Sinai, in ISIS Against 100 Airstrikes’ ‘Over Conducted Israel Egypt, Aiding G A S B rlo ie old en g el - s b Y oroff er Foreign Policy Foreign Drought,” Defeat to “How , S. i s hai g , J. “Saudi Crown Prince: Iran’s Supreme Leader ‘Makes Hitler Look Good,’” Atlantic Good,’” Look Hitler ‘Makes Leader Supreme Iran’s Prince: Crown “Saudi , J. , R. “The strategic interests behind Eisenkot’s Saudi interview, interview, Saudi Eisenkot’s behind interests strategic “The , R. , M. “Netanyahu’s Economic Adviser: High Growth Is Israel’s New Normal,” Haaretz Normal,” New Israel’s Is Growth High Adviser: Economic “Netanyahu’s , M. 6 4 while Crown Prince Mo Prince Crown while In recent years, the gov the years, recent In 5 a new and and anew , 9 April 2018 http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/09/how-to-defeat-drought-israel-south-, 9April ------deserve the right to their own land.” own to their right the deserve “Jews that Atlantic’ ‘The told Salman bin hammad against the Jihadi groups in the Sinai peninsula. battle its in Israel from help military some receiving against the Iranian nuclear facilities, while Egypt is to astrike due or Syria in either Iran, with frontation con alooming in –partners US’ the –and Israel’s some of their seem eager Gulf to partners become preservation of the status quo in the West Bank and and West Bank the in quo status the of preservation the made has Netanyahu Minister Prime 2009, early in office Minister’s Prime the reentered he Since Investigation under Minister A Prime constitution). no has Israel reason the for accounts formula the in contradiction built-in (the State the of definition constitutional the scribe to de Israel in used phrase common State’ –the Democratic and ‘a of Jewish idea the of heart the at are that tensions to various the and identity, Israeli the of to core the cuts Rather, it problem. lomatic dip or asecurity just not is question Palestinian The facing. is State the challenge tial existen unsolved the remains which issue, estinian tionally-recognized agreement) regarding the Pal interna an alone (let consensus internal an reach to able been hasn’t Israel importantly, most and unrecognized by the entire international community; still is city eastern the of annexation Israeli rusalem, to Je embassy to US move the decision American an despite dark; the in mostly conducted are and issues, to security limited are states Arab with tions strength to major long-term achievements. Rela its to translate unable is Israel Yet this, all despite allies. Western its of independent economically and politically is policy whose superpower, aregional as emergence own Israel’s of but changes, geopolitical the of result the just not are ago, years several just All these developments, which seemed unthinkable , 4 February 2018 www.haaretz.com/israel-news/nyt-israel- , 4February Ynet News , 2 April 2018 www.theatlantic.com/international/ , 2April , 19 November 2017, 19 November , 13 November 2017, 13 www.haaretz.com/israel- November 7 The Saudis and and Saudis The www.ynetnews.com/ 8 ------right-1.5896334 com/decades-of-failed-peace-talks-how-israel-negotiates-with-itself/128401/ solution – simply makes no sense. one-state the of version Israeli –the land the nexing civilian authority. From the Israeli perspective, an army’s by the governed is which population, vilian ci Palestinian the and authorities, by civilian mostly governed and citizens full are who settlers, Jewish between aseparation to State maintain the lows system) al –it legal civilian the of constraints the by bound not is government the (since easier efforts settlement makes only not West Bank the governs requiring it to pay in territory. regime that The military without peace, of benefits the of many Israel brings It price. lowest at the reward, highest the with Israel provides quo status the that understood Netanyahu ist elements in his coalition sometimes demanded. expansion most the as territories, new by annexing or Hamas, by toppling reality political the construct to re try didn’t he Gaza, in campaigns military three initiated he while and Administration; Obama by the presented initiative peace the of out himself noeuvre states-the-status-quo-is-israels-rational-third-choice/39169/ 190-209. Also: Also: 190-209. 9 the from immigrants and periphery), Israel’s in live or status have social alower many countries; Muslim from came who (Jews Jews Mizrahi settlers, the dox, Ortho Jewish representing parties, smaller of lition by acoa supported was He again. and again polls the in by Israelis rewarded was Netanyahu and ated, exagger grossly to be out turned isolation and sure pres international of Predictions tolerated. is it but world, by the recognized not is occupation Israel’s territory in of without peace, requiring it to pay many brings Israel It of the benefits highest reward, at the lowest price. status quo provides with Israel the Netanyahu understood that the policy trademark into his Gaza 11 10 S

See for example example for See H heizaf od , R. “Who Will Fight the New Israeli Right?” Haaretz, Right?” Israeli New the Fight Will “Who , R. , N. “One or two states? The status quo is Israel’s rational choice,” +972 Magazine choice,” rational Israel’s is quo status The states? two or “One , N. S heizaf T hrall , N. “Decades of failed peace talks: How Israel negotiates with itself,” +972 itself,” Magazine with negotiates Israel How talks: peace failed of “Decades , N. The Only language They Understand: Forcing Compromise in Israel and Palestine and Israel in Compromise Forcing Understand: They language Only The , Nathan. 9 . He was able to ma able was . He 10 13 March 2018. www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-who-will-fight-the-new-israeli- 13 March ------the affair as a conspiracy by the old elites and by the by the and elites old by the aconspiracy as affair the views which base, his with popular more Netanyahu have made actually allegations The office. Minister’s Prime the from trial his conduct might he to court, general attorney by the taken if that hinted and sign, to re refused Netanyahu Minister. Prime the against in 2018, filing police recommended criminal charges Early received). and demanded wife his and anyahu Net gifts lavish on centres case (another benefits regulatory for exchange favour in his in media the to manipulate attempts alleged with dealing mostly cases, several in involved is war. Netanyahu political all-out into an confrontation this have turned wife his The criminal investigations against Netanyahu and democracy.’ of end ‘the of warns left the while revolution,’ institutional ‘an of speaking right the toxic; with increasingly became debate landslide victory. Since those elections, the public 2015, and delivered Netanyahu with a surprising in numbers record in to polls went the that right new this was It Line. Green the of sides both on construction Palestinian to limit and settlements ish Jew new of construction the up to speed seekers; asylum African all to deport officials; security gious rights organizations; to promote right-wing and reli human foreign-funded to ban media; state-owned in views critical to limit religious; and Zionist’ ‘more curriculum school to the make Court; Supreme the of power the –to limit Jewish’ ‘more state entire the to make are demands Their West Bank. the on (just) and settlers populists by young led right,’ new ‘the is coalition Netanyahu’s in voice dominant the years, recent In key the to success. Netanyahu’s remains and was role dual This people. own their with tutions replacing them within bureaucracy Israeli and insti and Jews, European mostly class, middle upper the of elites’ old ‘the down taking Israel: within change cultural and social avast lead could who man a also but opposed), them of (which many solution to two-state the blow afatal to strike opportunity the just not saw they Netanyahu In Union. Soviet former 11 , 25 March 2012 https://972mag.com/one-or-two- March , 25 . Unlike the old right, their focus isn’t isn’t focus their right, old the . Unlike , 28 June 2017, June , 28 https://972mag. . Metropolitan 2017, pp. . Metropolitan - - - - -

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 233 Geographical Overview | Middle East and Turkey Panorama IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 234 Geographical Overview | Middle East and Turkey Panorama tainty to a new level. Abbas, the last founding father father founding last the Abbas, to level. anew tainty uncer bring will Authority Palestinian the of head the as term Abbas’ Mahmoud of end coming The record. on lowest the of one was which to pre-2013 the returned never has levels, lence 2015-2016 of attacks vio the but subsided, has ramming and wave the stabbing of West Bank, the and could lead to a new military confrontation to military anew lead could and Israel, and Hamas both on pressure putting is strip the on blockade decade-old the toll of humanitarian the Gaza, In quo. status the challenging are ritories ter occupied the in developments time, same At the again and again rewarded by in Israelis the polls exaggerated, and Netanyahu was and isolation turned out to grossly be Predictions of international pressure by the world, but it istolerated. Israel’s occupation isnot recognized precedented legal and political crisis. un an for headed is country entire the that seems It leader. their down to take State’s bureaucracy 12 3744-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.44c7e6f50557 www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/behind-bloody-gaza-clashes-economic-misery-and-piles-of-debt/2018/04/23/b4e6476c- Loveday Loveday M orri s and Hazem Hazem and B alou s ha The Washington Post Washington The debt,” of piles and misery economic clashes, Gaza bloody “Behind 12 . In . In - - - - storm clouds are gathering fast. but shook, it around world entire the as stability relative and growth of adecade enjoyed has rael Is aggression. direct of act an as views Jerusalem – a step Syria war post-civil the in to maintain aims Tehran presence to permanent the due but pected, ex everybody as issue, nuclear over the not Iran, with confrontation alooming is this to all Adding movingare increasingly towards direct coercion. low, politicians and all-time at an seems consensus to create system political the of ability ulation). The pop the of 20% than more up make 48’ of estinians (the ‘Pal Israel of citizens Palestinian by the posed identity to Israeli to challenge the seekers asylum fate of the –from issues internal for true also is This increase. only –would Israel in high very –already force military with challenge every to answer temptation The examples. these low to fol leadership any for hard very it make will right new the of strength the and atmosphere political toxic The land. the in assets major the to on all hold to them allowed which Gaza, from disengagement the or deal Oslo the of signing the as such moves, pragmatic to initiate past the in able were leaders Israeli uprisings, Palestinian with past the in Faced credibility. local their losing without to maintain difficult find would predecessors his which Israel, with nation coordi military aclose kept active, still PLO the of , 23 April 2018 April , 23 ------