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Home , Avigdor Lieberman, Avi Gabbay, Gilad Erdan, Haneen Zoabi, Miri Regev, Moshe Kahlon

Al-Shabaka Policy Brief March 2018

WHEN LEFT IS RIGHT: HOW CAN BURST ’S POLITICAL BUBBLE By Amjad Iraqi

Overview the allies holding up his fragile rule, from the ultra- orthodox Jewish parties to his personal rivals within Although no indictments have been issued yet, . “King Bibi,” however, survived them all. A are speculating whether the latest developments in skilled politician, he has been adept at managing Prime Minister ’s corruption Israel’s notoriously volatile coalition system, and [email protected] scandals finally mark the beginning of his political has remained in power with three consecutive demise. The second-longest serving prime minister governments over nine years – each more right wing after David Ben-Gurion, Netanyahu has had a than the last.2 profound impact on Israel’s political scene since the 1990s. It is therefore troubling, especially to Netanyahu directly influenced the country’s media Palestinians, that if these corruption cases are the landscape by shaping the editorial stance of Israel harbinger of Netanyahu’s downfall, they will have Hayom (the nation’s gratis, most-read newspaper, had nothing to do with the more egregious crimes for funded by American billionaire Sheldon Adelson), which he is responsible, and for which he – and future and used the Communications Ministry to threaten Israeli leaders – have yet to be held accountable. and harass media outlets that were critical of him. Despite crises and condemnations throughout This policy brief analyzes Israel’s political his career – including mass Israeli protests for transformations under Netanyahu and maps out the socioeconomic justice in 2011 and, more recently, current leadership contenders from a Palestinian weekly protests against widespread government perspective.1 It argues that Israel’s insular political corruption – Netanyahu withstood public pressures discourse, and the increasing alignment of Israeli to step down. Ironically, the impending corruption center left parties with the right wing camp, charges show that the most fatal threat to Bibi’s rule is requires a major shake-up in order to influence himself. www.Al-Shabaka.org Israeli politics in a way that responds to Palestinian demands for human rights. The brief concludes with Netanyahu was never a particularly popular prime recommendations for the Palestinian leadership in minister, but he succeeded in persuading many Israel, grassroots and civil society organizations, and Israelis to tolerate his leadership, even if begrudgingly. foreign governments and international institutions, Since the trauma of the , Israeli to make Israel’s domestic politics accountable to the society shed much of its support for the politics of the Palestinians. traditional left, which in their eyes exposed Israel to waves of Palestinian suicide bombings after the Oslo Israel under “King Bibi” Accords and rocket fire after Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. The implosion of neighboring states like Syria, Throughout his premierships, analysts predicted that the rise of militant groups like ISIS, and the fear of Netanyahu would be brought down by any one of a potentially nuclear further reduced any belief in idealistic visions of peace. Public opinion shifted

1. This brief focuses on the spectrum of left to right wing Israeli politics in relation to the Palestinians. However, Israel’s domestic politics are multifaceted and also include ethnic (Ashkenazi, Mizrahi), religious (secular, theocratic), geographic (urban/core, rural/periphery), and economic (class, market policies) dynamics. 2. As of 10 March 2018, a new coalition crisis is unfolding over the implementation of a law to draft ultra-orthodox into the Israeli military; the dispute is tied with the passing of a national budget for 2019, as well as Netanyahu’s corruption charges. Analysts believe that snap elections could be called if the crisis is not 1 resolved. March 2018

instead toward right wing and centrist parties, whose was despite the fact that Netanyahu continued to hard-line principles were seen as better guarantors of vocally oppose the two-state solution, sanctioned the Israeli security and prosperity. construction of thousands of new settlement units, accused EU-funded human rights groups of being These conditions allowed leaders like Netanyahu “foreign agents,” and declared to the Israeli public to gradually overhaul the political establishment that he would never divide or give up and infuse their hawkish policies into the national “Judea and Samaria.” When diplomatic crises did mainstream – and for the average Israeli, their occur – particularly over settlement expansion – the approach seemed to work. The Palestinian bombings US and EU failed to impose tangible consequences of the 1990s and early 2000s vanished, and military on the Israeli government’s belligerence, reverting operations and “flashes” of violence since have instead to “strongly-worded” language to express their incurred relatively few Israeli casualties. The economy disapproval. Netanyahu thus proved that Israel could withstood the global recession, international business actively undermine the US’s and EU’s efforts to make ties increased, and the high-tech industry boosted peace, and still enjoy its relations with impunity. the country’s image as a “start-up nation.” Fears that foreign allies would ramp up pressure over settlement expansion in the failed to materialize “If the corruption cases beyond repetitive statements about the threat to the peace process – which, for the first time in years, signal Netanyahu’s downfall, was no longer at the forefront of the Israeli public’s agenda. they will have had nothing The “stability” Netanyahu has offered, however, is to do with his more an illusion built upon the oppression of Palestinian lives. The ongoing blockade of the has egregious crimes.” choked the territory’s 1.8 million residents, creating a humanitarian disaster. Operation Protective Edge in 2014 – the third such operation in five years These experiences from the Netanyahu era – together – destroyed vast tracts of Gaza’s cities and killed with decades of ethno-, settler colonialism, 2,251 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians. and unaccountability – are shaping the future of Military repression and settler violence in the West Israeli politics in relation to the Palestinians. Any Bank have imprisoned, injured, and killed scores of Israeli interest in altering the conflict’s so-called status Palestinians every month. Home demolitions have quo has withered, as has the civic space to oppose it. displaced hundreds of Palestinians every year in Area Parties are primarily distinguishing their platforms C, , and the Naqab (). Israeli around domestic issues while mirroring each other’s officials havethreatened and demonized human rights external policies. The insulation of Jewish life from organizations and dissident voices, including Jewish Palestinian suffering, and the hardening of the Jewish- citizens, as threats to the state. New discriminatory Israeli political consensus, has made it easier for the and anti-democratic laws passed by the and Israeli public to either openly embrace or turn a blind condoned by the Supreme Court have deepened the eye to the worsening methods used by the state to racial inequality of Palestinian citizens of Israel. preserve their colonial bubble. It is therefore telling that Netanyahu’s political survival is more endangered The international community has been complicit in by his acceptance of bribes like champagne and cigars preserving Netanyahu’s illusion. The US and EU than by his bombardment of Rafah in 2014 or his have deepened their ties with Israel while pretending claim that Arab voters were “coming out in droves” in that the prime minister was committed to the peace 2015. process following his 2009 Bar-Ilan speech.3 This

2. At Bar-Ilan University in June 2009, following heavy US pressure, Netanyahu announced for the first time that he would support the creation of a demilitarized Pal- estinian state with numerous reservations and conditions, including that the PLO recognize Israel as a “.” In the ensuing years, Netanyahu made contradic- 2 tory statements to Israeli and international audiences about his position; in 2015, Likud’s election pamphlets declared his speech to be “null and void.” March 2018 March but so far so but stepped down to acquire to acquire businessman Avi Avi businessman he would faction he would which . Despite being the third . Despite being the third prominent personas prominent as a popular leadership contender. Although leadership as a popular contender. in obtaining major government successfulmajor government was in obtaining , formerly of replace to , , are are Shaked, Ayelet have limited electoral support; their nationalist- support; their limited electoral have in the Knesset seats only eight received party religious Minister in 2013. Finance twelve from down in 2015, , a centrist acted as sometimes who extreme more to the government’s counterbalance to has yet but seats holds ten currently members, stand out in seats party shrank to five Lieberman’s Avigdor 2015, it coalitions Netanyahu’s joining for posts as conditions in 2009 and and defense ministries (the foreign Minister Moshe Defense Former 2016, respectively). in and Likud out with Netanyahu fell who Ya’alon, of speculation 2016, has stirred return a possible to though it is uncertain politics, join. in an effort to The opposition is also reorganizing In July dominance. the right wing bloc’s challenge 2017, the Labor party elected Gabbay spike in popularity, as its new leader; despite an initial support. in the party’s a drop indicated polls later Lapid of Atid is predicted Yair Yesh major electoral gains a serious bid for and to pose his party to be post; polls show the prime minister’s to Livni is unlikely neck-and-neck with Likud. Tzipi (her party the premiership for contender be a real preserve but may in 2015), seats only five received her partnershipof with Labor as part the “Zionist party, the most left wing Jewish Union.” , February and in in 2015, seats scraped five barely Galon Zehava 2018 its chairwoman in the hope of on the left.” “injecting new blood as served – who Prime Minister Former before years three for defense minister Netanyahu’s he that indications strong – has also given retiring suggested office that again, citing polls could run for Netanyahu. he could defeat parties stands the against the Jewish Juxtaposed List – the union ofJoint main Arab the four faces separate political factions in Israel – which and compound challenges the Joint party in the Knesset with 13 seats, largest the right wing and by targeted List is aggressively center left. Laws ideological odds with the Jewish at crippling Arab political and motions aimed at against Arab as hostile statements as well rights, suggest that Likud Likud polls suggest that Various politician to lead the right wing bloc. that would shield sitting prime would that new law

Palestinian lives.” Palestinian

has offered is an illusion an illusion is offered has most favored

“The ‘stability’ Netanyahu Netanyahu ‘stability’ “The built upon the oppression of of the oppression upon built For now, Likud has pushed party colleagues to stand now, For and has even against his charges, behind Netanyahu encouraged a into suspected police investigations ministers from crimes of corruption. This has not stopped political a “post- for within the party to prepare maneuvering Katz, Yisrael Intelligence Minister Bibi” future. and Culture Security Minister , Public been mentioned as possible have Minister most likely But the the leadership. contenders for a to analysts is Gideon Sa’ar, successor according former minister and long-time interior and education ofrival returned last life who to public Netanyahu, after a briefyear be Sa’ar to polls show Public hiatus. the unlikely to win the prime are Other right wing figures in a critical role will still play post, but minister’s the makeup of Education government. future any Minister Minister , along with Justice Despite the looming criminal indictments, which which indictments, the looming criminal Despite if a conviction, to reach months or years could take if all, it is unclear at step to will be forced Netanyahu or ifdown affect Likud’s will severely charges his electoral support. (currently election in the next seats could lose some This is the leading party. will remain 2019), but set for of to the failure partly attributed other factions to the to Likud. as distinct alternatives themselves establish in 1977, hegemony the Labor party’s Since it broke compelled the Israeli left to court Likud has not only has almost single-handedly but right wing voters, the political Israeli leaders across today’s generated Hayehudi), spectrum: Naftali Bennett (Habayet Moshe Kahlon Beiteinu), Lieberman (Yisrael Avigdor Gabbay Avi and Livni (Hatnuah), Tzipi (Kulanu), all former are (Labor), among others, members or supporters of the party. Who’s Next? Who’s

Al-Shabaka Policy Brief 3 of March 2018 March advanced advanced the idea of the idea : “I don’t want 61 want 61 : “I don’t population transfer population made by Netanyahu that the left that Netanyahu made by then-Communications then-Communications endorsed by supporters of Likud.” of supporters politicalspectrum are all former members or or members all former “Israeli leaders across the across leaders “Israeli to strengthen Jewish and Zionist identity Jewish to strengthen a program curriculum, led a vigorous and in the Israeli school Nakba to the Palestinian campaign to ban references in the 2011 These efforts culminated in Arab schools. – “Nakba Law” government lets the Minister Moshe Kahlon – which institutions that funding from state withdraw of commemoration the Palestinian allow Israel’s of day independence as a “national mourning.” policies as on Sa’ar’s through Naftali Bennett followed a new civics approving minister in 2015 by education minimizes nationalism, Jewish promotes that textbook as security and and portrays values, democratic demographic concerns. dealing with the Arab ideas for extreme The more also gained steam. Lieberman’s “fifth column” have the long-standing calls for Others have a record of a record Others have putting their discriminatory views of of citizens Palestinian Israel into action. As minister in 2009, Gideon Sa’ar education as demographic threats, saying as demographic threats, want a I don’t Knesset. in Israel’s MKs Palestinian October 2017, his In minister.” prime Palestinian dismissed flatly Gabbay Avi successor to form to the Arab parties out reaching a coalition, the with government a will not share “We declaring: see I don’t see their behavior. List, period. You Joint us to allow would us that [connection] between any be part of weeks with them.” A few a government on focusing the Israeli left for criticized Gabbay later, of the expense at being “only liberal” values, Jewish a claim and echoed it means to be Jews.” what had “forgotten Palestinian citizens, once dismissed as fringe, have have once dismissed as fringe, citizens, Palestinian a to According approval: public growing found

over Syria). over election campaign of Israel’s institutions and the occupation. The /Labor Party, which dominated politics and state building until building politics and state dominated which of The Mapai/Labor Party, institutions and the occupation. Israel’s

4 original architect 1977, carried out the expulsion of1977, carried out the expulsion of citizens the Haganah; imposed military rule on Palestinian its paramilitary force in 1948 through Palestinians Israel until 1966; of and transfer the mass expropriation legalized and sanctioned the construction of citizens; lands to Jewish Palestinian settlements in the OPT after 1967, among and vocal advocates were – Peres , and Shimon of figures Prominent other policies. numerous David Ben-Gurion, , the party – including of on many and built continued ofdirectors policies. the left’s The Zionist right, historically and presently, these agendas. 4. The Zionist left was the What seems certain, however, is that Israel’s post-Bibi Israel’s is that seems certain, however, What the Palestinians. for misfortune politics bodes growing histories of All the leadership contenders have espousing racist and violent views of Palestinians to or threats to tolerate, as being either nuisances while that also shown Experience has be destroyed. political parties, to Israel’s nuances be may there the effects ofare Palestinians toward their policies neither in Israel nor in the Occupied different, hardly (OPT). Territory Palestinian The Consequences for Palestinians Consequences The Ideological enemies frequently forge unexpected unexpected forge Ideological enemies frequently parties (like the small or marginal while alliances, can Judaism) and United Torah ultra-orthodox for when bargaining influence carry disproportionate decreased has also data Polling a coalition majority. indicating In 2015, despite most surveys in reliability: win the election, the would that Likud stormed to victory with a lead of six seats. the best approach remains therefore Unpredictability these contests. to following This mapping of general political scene the Israeli the time a new election by could radically change basis; and fall on a regular rise Parties commences. one faction to another; from move politicians may and factors crises can alter like violence or other war (including a possible opinion public representatives, are routinely initiated and backed backed and initiated routinely are representatives, The List also both camps. politicians from Jewish by personal among its and political clashes suffers from the from disillusionment and faces growing members, of the utility over public Palestinian its parliamentary Ifinvolvement. the next for the union perseveres ifelection, it is uncertain will repeat voters Palestinian the same turnout 63 and between as 2015 (estimated to grant it the same political mandate. 70 percent) catering to anti-Arab sentiment, endorsed the right catering motions to disqualify Arab Knesset Member wing’s to Palestinians referred , and routinely This is even more evident as the Israeli center evident more This is even shift. As Labor leader its rightward left continues ran an in 2015, Isaac Herzog

Al-Shabaka Policy Brief 4 March 2018 March It is the only 5 in October 2017, in October 2017, went further went . Although this platform of poses more : “The Palestinians must be brought to an to an be brought must : “The Palestinians particularly in East Jerusalem, warning its at that Jerusalem, in East particularly majority Jewish will lose the “[W]e pace, current Lapid of Atid, a within 15 years.” in the city Yesh proponent, centrist and two-state self-proclaimed stated remain will always Jerusalem understanding that is no point there and that under Israeli sovereignty about Jerusalem.” them in opening negotiations for ofGabbay Labor enterprisepraising the settlement as “the beautiful face ofand devoted the and insisting that ,” eastern Israel’s “will remain Valley occupied settlement.” requires – and security security buffer Bubble Israel’s Bursting the Israeli parties have devices, Left to their own putting the six million Palestinians in little interest of the forefront rule at they their concerns. All united in the view that the political camps are of the mercy at remain must Palestinians Israeli a unequal citizenship, through whether diktats, or permanent And occupation. quasi-state, shrivelled the kaleidoscopic to ignore be wrong it would while ofnature that it is critical to recognize Israeli politics, its over lords that in a bubble this kaleidoscope exists of then suffer the decisions who subjects, Palestinian Israeli consensus. the Jewish bursting be aimed at therefore actions must Policy that structures and altering the this Israeli bubble rights. Palestinian deny it to systematically allow implementing these actions for political levels Three here: proposed are in Israel: Despite leadership Palestinian The so than List (more internal the Joint disputes, Committee) has become the High Follow-Up the voicing for an important political channel demands of people. the Palestinian party in Israel that is unequivocally committed is unequivocally party in Israel that to the principle of equality and to an end of the Vision the 2006 Future by as articulated occupation, Documents in the Knesset, its a symbolic than practical threat in the the racism embedded impact lies in exposing political agenda, and in helping Israeli center left’s raised advancing advancing urging that that urging for the first for sub-contracted for the foreseeable the foreseeable for was approved is an extra-parliamentary umbrella organization that acts as a national coordinating body for the Palestinian community in community the Palestinian for body coordinating acts as a national that organization umbrella is an extra-parliamentary reason to end reason

different.” , nearly half, nearly of percent) (48 Jewish

intensified settlement called for be implemented.

to Israel’s political parties, Israel’s to the effects of their the effectspolicies Israel. Its membership is drawn from the National Council of the National from Israel. Its membership is drawn the Heads of the Arab political parties in the Knesset, Arab civil society organizations, Arab Localities, and other representatives. High Follow-Up Committee 5. The High Follow-Up Meanwhile, the 50-year occupation of occupation the 50-year Meanwhile, the West Bank and Gaza has become an integral, normalized, part ofand lucrative no – which the Israeli state Israeli politician has despite some parties declaring their Furthermore, is little solution, there a two-state support for and right wing’s the between today difference visions ofcenter left’s solution. Sa’ar of that Likud has repeatedly future. The asymmetric “status quo” grants The asymmetric “status Israel future. growth, spatial resources, natural edge, strategic and nationalist and religious economic ventures, the fulfilment. Thanks to the , as a operates Authority Palestinian crushes both armedsecurity service that and behalf. on Israel’s resistance Palestinian nonviolent advocates durability, the occupation’s Emboldened by Israel” like Bennett are a “Greater for of hundreds legalize would that legislation settlement outposts and formally C; in December Area annex 2017, Likud passed a party resolution these plans Bank and the West construction throughout 2016 Pew study Pew 2016 of the expulsion Israelis support the from Arabs Arabs for calling members Knesset are More state. ofto be stripped of “breaches for Israeli citizenship that a measure loyalty,” against a district court security prisoner a time by a following month, 2017. The previous in August Umm al-Fahem from men three by shooting attack reportedly Netanyahu Al-Aqsa compound, at the possibility of in Israel to transferring Arab towns Bank as part ofthe West the peace deal with a future Organization. Liberation Palestinian

“While there may be nuances be nuances may there “While toward Palestinians are hardly hardly are Palestinians toward

Al-Shabaka Policy Brief 5 March 2018 March , and member states’ , and member states’ , its negotiations over an over , its negotiations of in involved businesses to exercise their political and their political to exercise trust in its mission.” trust in its “The should should List “TheJoint engage with its Palestinian Palestinian its with engage constituents to restore public public restore to constituents The full activation ofThe full activation among other levels, these three insular Israel’s can help to shake strategies, possible election. and after the next political discourse before quo, imposed on the status Until consequences are the racist and to unravel no Israeli party will dare their basic Palestinians deny systems that oppressive transformations Understanding Israel’s human rights. era is thus crucial not to under the Netanyahu to tackle the conditions but highlight the man himself, leaders like him to determine allow that the conflict’s least, it should not be at Palestinians, For trajectory. likely to face are more Israeli officials the case that for are cigars than they expensive receiving justice for committing the crime of apartheid. Israeli policies, the ability and responsibility to responsibility and the ability policies, Israeli Despite with Europe. efforts lies largely lead these among its members, and intransigence disputes already are governments European the EU and with the tools equipped These Israel: include the over leverage economic policy differentiation EU’s Agreement Association updated termsbilateral of The EU should also fulfil relations. the utilizing to accountability by its commitments upcoming database UN’s ending its aversion and by activity, preliminary to the International Court’s Criminal and into War into the 2014 Gaza examinations settlement policy. Israel’s In

to to Israeli preferences, and to Israeli preferences, The can no international community to emulate, using strategic litigation, litigation, strategic using to emulate, its resources for conducting international conducting for its resources the absence of international action, the diplomatic and Sanctions (BDS) movement Divestment, Boycott, is one of and the few actors imposing material decisions – a political costs on Israel’s psychological spurred the Israeli authorities to label has fact that In the threat.” a “strategic strategies its nonviolent face of the around to silence the movement measures administrative legislation, as through – such world of and accusations measures, anti-Semitism – legal intervene actively must and human rights groups Grassroots and civil society organizations: and civil Grassroots and international governments Foreign institutions: bolster EU and as the with political actors such advocacy the where as in the US, stakeholders such with public strides in mobilizing support party has made major vision (including among political its alternative for critical become increasingly have who of policies). Israel’s and protest to boycott right people’s to secure of The work rights in all forums. Palestinian for intersectional coalitions in the US is a grassroots model positive By securing advocacy. and public political lobbying, can the BDS movement these basic civil liberties, on its success in compelling decision to build continue and other institutions universities, companies, makers, rights and, in turn, graduallyto support Palestinian Israeli politicians and their supporters to pressure so will continue their isolation the fact that confront policies and occupation long as their discriminatory remain. worsening politics. longer grant impunity to Israel’s set aside the defunct model of must States the “peace adopt a strategy and instead ofprocess” balancing by conditioning their dynamics power the conflict’s with Israel on its abidance to international relations rights human and its cession to Palestinian law administration’s the Trump Given demands. intent to fully yield bipartisan efforts in Congress to stifle criticism of to break the myth of myth the to break democratic as a liberal Israel In view ofstate. List should set two Joint the this, First,priorities: to engage Palestinian with its mission, trust in its public to restore constituents its internal integrateand further and consolidate lines; and second, factional across institutions

Al-Shabaka Policy Brief 6 March 2018 March Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network The Palestinian Al-Shabaka, and non-profit is an independent, non-partisan, is to educate and whose mission organization human rights foster public debate on Palestinian framework and self-determination within the Al-Shabaka policy briefs of international law. Al- to may be reproduced with due attribution Network. For The Palestinian Policy Shabaka, or more information visit www.al-shabaka.org contact us by email: [email protected]. with Al-Shabaka materials may be circulated The Palestinian Al-Shabaka: due attribution to The opinion of individual Policy Network. policy network do not Al-Shabaka’s members of necessarily reflect the views of the organization as a whole. is a Palestinian citizen of Israel and is a Palestinian citizen of Israel Amjad Iraqi Kenya, and has lived between Israel-Palestine, Magazine and Canada. He is a writer for +972 Review has published articles in the London and other of Books, Le Monde Diplomatique, outlets. He was a Projects and International The Legal Adalah - Advocacy Coordinator at Arab Minority Rights in Israel from Center for an MA 2012 to 2018. He is currently completing College London, and in Public Policy at King’s in Peace and Conflict Studies has an Hon. BA Toronto. from the University of

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