Haaretz | Wednesday, March 10, 2021 5

HAARETZ Eran Yashiv

Editor: Aluf Benn We need to get English Edition Editor: Avi Scharf Managing Editor: Simon Spungin rid of Netanyahu Deputy Publisher: Guy Rolnik Managing Director, Haaretz Group Rami Guez and heal the state Managing Director, English Edition Aviva Bronstein srael is caught in the The Netanyahu phenom- Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. grip of two difficult enon will be solved if his 21 Schocken St.,Tel Aviv 61350 Israel. problems, but there is a corruption trial proceeds TZ Tel: 03-5121212 Fax: 03-6810012 ERE I M way to solve both of them, normally and he can no lon- Customer Service Tel: 03-5121750 Fax: 03-5121703 which I shall propose here. ger conduct his manipula- E-mail: [email protected]. Advertising: 03-5121774, 03-5121112 Letters to the editor: [email protected] or fax: 03-5121156 I will also say what is un- tions from the seat of pow- likely to be resolved (spoil- er. That is what happened in er alert: Israel’s main prob- the criminal cases of Ehud lems). Olmert, Abraham Hirch- One problem is the de- son, Arye Dery and other cline of the political sys- former senior politicians. tem, and at its heart is the For this purpose, the new phenomenon called Benja- coalition must ensure ap- min Netanyahu. The prob- propriate appointments to Smotrich’s lem manifests in an unsta- the position of justice min- ble parliamentary regime, ister and to head important with frequent changes of Knesset committees. hesder yeshivas Eran Wolkowski | [email protected] government (four in the Less clear is how to re- past decade) and short- inforce the democratic sys- lived parliaments (six in tem and governmental sta- The hesder yeshivas, whose students combine religious the past decade). At the bility. To a large extent, this study with military service, have always served as a hot- Zvi Bar’el same time, strong forces depends on who will set the house for political education in the spirit of Haredi Zion- are working to undermine tone in the new government. ism, especially the hesder yeshivas in the territories. Oc- the infrastructure of Is- Exit from the COVID-19 casionally the debate returns over the inequitable hesder raeli democracy. crisis can and should be track (inequitable because its participants serve a shorter At the heart of the prob- done by formulating a plan stint in the army), mainly when a rabbi from a hesder The live armadillos in the lem is the Netanyahu phe- that is constructive and in- yeshiva makes a controversial statement. nomenon. Israel is in a spiring, something practi- Therefore, the fact that several hesder yeshivas hosted situation where one person cal that the public can con- Knesset candidates from the Religious Zionism party this middle of the road – intelligent and talented nect with. If the parties week is no surprise. Nor is the fact that the head of the but highly problematic – is bring this positive message Association of Hesder Yeshivas, Rabbi Haim Drukman – manipulating the entire to their election campaigns the dean of the Or Etzion hesder yeshiva – accompanied he upcoming elec- Bennett isn’t sweeping “Zi- “We are presenting moder- policy and restore a worthy political system. He is a and then base their coali- these visits and called on the students to aid in the election tion is easier than onist Judaism” off its feet. ate, balanced, pretty cautious hierarchy of values. Espe- populist leader, with no tion agreement on it, they campaign of Bezalel Smotrich’s party. T usual. It’s clear to A small part of that group, positions. Perhaps we won’t cially when the Israeli center constructive vision, bent on will win widespread public “We’ve become a tool of Smotrich’s political proga- each person whom not to which takes shelter under start any great adventures, is made up of scraps of par- destroying Israel’s social support. ganda,” said a student at one yeshiva, who wondered, vote for. Secular people the prayer shawl of the but it seems to me that the ties and politicians, like spare capital and focused exclu- A first step, both symbol- justifiably, “Would they let Merav Michaeli come speak won’t vote for the ultra- “young settlements” that state right now doesn’t need parts that don’t fit together. sively on his own personal ic and concrete, is to form a here?,” referring to the chairwoman of the Labor Party. Orthodox parties, and vice go wild on the hilltops, has more disturbances. Sending But we now find ourselves gain. This is a particularly 15-member cabinet – slight- But we aren’t just talking about listening passively to versa. Now the Arabs also other leaders. In short, the Benjamin Netanyahu home in a bad place, in which get- strange development in a ly over half the current campaign speeches. It turns out that in some of the yeshi- have someone to not vote ineligible have become the will supply enough drama.” ting rid of Netanyahu is a country where everyone vas students were recruited for actual political activity for: Mansour Abbas won’t majority. Lapid, in his greatness, is value in and of itself, and not has firm opinions about, on behalf of Religious Zionism, making phone calls to vote for the Joint List, The fastidiousness of the even prepared to yield on his only that – it’s a supreme val- and an “understanding” of, potential voters and planning to volunteer for the party and Joint List supporters Israeli voter throws him personal ambitions. ue. That’s because a society every issue. The explana- Israel is in a on Election Day (as reported Tuesday by Josh Breiner). won’t vote for him. that seeks to ever come back tion is that there is a recep- The fact that hesder yeshivas receive state funding Now that we’ve gotten past to itself cannot once again tive public, including the situation where one and a large percentage of their students are considered that hurdle, the polls are say- choose a prime minister who political class. Netanyahu person – intelligent service members – and are therefore subject to the mili- ing that most leftists won’t The fastidiousness of the Israeli voter is the epitome of corruption is perceived as a father fig- and talented but tary regulations prohibiting soldiers from engaging in vote for Meretz, and some are throws him onto a futile path leading and arrogance, a guided mis- ure, as a responsible adult. political activity – didn’t stop these yeshivas from host- also reluctant to vote Labor sile targeting democracy Therefore, in opinion polls highly problematic ing Religious Zionism’s political campaign and its rabbis. because of Ibtisam Mara’ana. to ‘the center,’ which promises him and the public good. Even if he is always judged the – is manipulating A few weeks ago, following a visit by Smotrich to the Not because she’s an Arab – a political death by anesthetic. Netanyahu weren’t on trial, most suitable candidate for hesder yeshiva in Sderot, the Israel Defense Forces made Meretz actually likes to dec- 12 years in power is enough. the job of prime minister. the entire political in clear to the hesder yeshiva association that hesder ye- orate itself with Arabs – but A society that isn’t capable Even his rivals enhance his shivas are forbidden to conduct political activity and that because she didn’t rise for for replacing its government image (calling him “a magi- system. they are expected to comply with the rules that apply the siren on Memorial Day onto a futile path leading to But what kind of personal every so often is a society cian”). It is a collective in- to soldiers during election season. But apparently that for those who fell in Israel’s “the center,” which promis- ambitions could sprout from that has become accustomed fantilism that suggests the clarification carried no weight. What exactly would the wars. “Mara’ana is an anti- es him a political death by someone who is coming from to authoritarianism, has perpetuation of the person- number – together with the army do to them? Zionist, a Holocaust denier. anesthetic. a position of moderation, fallen in love with it and is ality cult in Israeli politics. elimination of a few minis- The abbreviated hesder service track is the result of She drew the line at the siren “There’s nothing in the balance and caution, like bequeathing it to future gen- The second problem tries and the consolidation political deals, which continue under pressure from the and we won’t forgive her, middle of the road but yellow a flatlining monitor in the erations. is the coronavirus crisis. of several. The four main right-wing parties. There is no logical reason why a regu- ever,” ruled the national San- stripes and dead armadillos,” ICU? After all, this was ex- In the next election – as- True, governments around positions – prime minister lar soldier, who is drafted for full combat service, should hedrin, talk-show hosts Ofira said the American activist actly the tune Gantz was suming it takes place in three the world struggle with a and the ministers of foreign see his peers from the hesder yeshivas serving only 18 and Berkovich. and journalist Jim Hightow- singing when he decided to or four years – there will be pandemic that is beyond affairs, defense and educa- months simply because the military establishment fears Very few will cast a er. But in Israeli politics, ar- break his silence during the young voters who will never their capabilities. But the tion – will be divided among the response of Zionist rabbis. Nor is there any reason ballot for Yaron Zelekha’s madillos actually come back election campaign that took have known another prime Israeli government has the four main partners in that these yeshivas are permitted to set their own cur- party and yes, there’s also to life right in the middle of place in ancient times. He minister and won’t know turned in a particularly the coalition. An economist ricula without supervision, limiting the role of the state bounce-back clown Benny the road. Yair Lapid, Sa’ar, also meant what he said. And what a properly run govern- poor performance. Despite will be appointed to a two- to the allocation of funds. Gantz, who will vote for Bennett, and Merav Michaeli we once believed him, too. ment looks like. They will be several advantages, includ- year term as finance min- Now, when it turns out that the hesder yeshivas are himself, or maybe not. The are now our center. They are In the past it was possible convinced that this is what ing a relatively young pop- ister: No politician could do also acting as a platform for electioneering, the time has bloc that opposes Benja- carefully walking along the and even necessary to criti- democracy is. And there is ulation and a single main this thankless job well at come to get rid of this crooked track. Until that happens, min Netanyahu won’t put a dividing line in the middle cize choosing the center. It’s no vaccine against that. This entrance, in the form of this point in time. if it ever does, the IDF must find more effective ways to ballot for Likud in the en- of the road, as if that was a fearful, herdlike, concilia- is a time when a vote for the Ben-Gurion International The second step will be insist that its rules be followed, strictly forbid political velope, while Netanyahu’s the safest place to be. How tory choice, one that cannot center is a frightfully bitter Airport, the government a significant strengthening involvement and take back its authority, which today is “base” won’t vote for Gide- did Lapid put it this week in bring change, rebuild the pill, but it’s necessary to cure has managed to score ev- of the health care system, in held by the rabbis. on Sa’ar, and even Naftali Haaretz’s Hebrew edition? ruins, conduct a decisive the body of the plague. ery possible own goal: zig- terms of both personnel – in- zagging crisis management, cluding doctors and nurses failing to control entry into – and physical infrastruc- the country and a lack of ture. Both are half the size enforcement. of such systems in countries Nick Kaufman What is the solution? Po- like Germany, France, or the litical cooperation could Scandinavian countries in coalesce around replacing per capita terms. the prime minister and on The third step is to re- drafting an exit strategy solve the significant mis- The ICC prosecutor was my superior. It is unfortunate from the crisis. It is very match created in the labor important to formulate a market. Unemployed work- realistic, feasible plan that ers will be looking for jobs, that Netanyahu should speak of antisemitism offers a responsible alter- which nature has changed. native to the current erratic Firms in many sectors policy. Slogans and demon- will be behaving differ- he announcement last yahu alleged that the ICC The reason for such an invi- for them to determine the ment enterprise, Israel will military force. It is, fur- strations are not enough; a ently now. The matching of week by International was tainted by antisemi- tation arises out of the fact matter. Should the Israeli not be competent to investi- thermore, not inconceiv- concrete program must be workers and jobs is no easy T Criminal Court Pros- tism and was prejudicially that the ICC operates in ac- authorities take up the de- gate a policy that dates back able and even desirable that finalized before the March task, and Israel has been ecutor Fatou Bensouda that focusing on Israel to the cordance with the principle ferral offer, they will be un- years and is not even de- a new government should 23 election. weak at it. Countries like an investigation would be exclusion of Iran and Syr- of complementarity and is der the periodic supervision fined as a criminal offense seek to postpone an inves- The politically feasible the Netherlands, Germany opened against Israel for ia, Bensouda responded in obliged to afford primacy of the Office of the Prose- in domestic legislation. tigation into the settlement option now (hardly a good and Sweden can serve as war crimes was no surprise untypically forthright fash- to domestic investigations cutor in The Hague, but at The timing of the pros- enterprise in the context one, though) is to form a co- role models on this subject. to any government lawyer. ion, rejecting the accusa- and prosecutions in those least they will be relieved of ecutor’s announcement is of renewed peace negotia- alition based on the parties The fourth step is pass- After all, when she filed tion outright. Indeed, inter- countries where jurisdic- the threat of international particularly problematic. tions. Such a move would of Gideon Sa’ar, Yair Lapid, ing an updated national her request for a prelimi- national lawyers have used tion naturally lies. In other arrest warrants. The prosecutor is not oblivi- possibly be welcomed by Naftali Bennett and Avig- budget and rebuilding the nary ruling, almost a year the term “whataboutism” words the court, according Despite the deferral pro- ous to Israeli domestic poli- the Office of the Prosecu- dor Lieberman. The latest Finance Ministry’s budget ago, Bensouda declared for this complaint that to its statute, operates as an cess sounding attractive, it tics and was surely aware tor in The Hague, which opinion polls give them division, which has recent- that all the prerequisites other states are not being institution of last resort and comes with some problems that Netanyahu would use has for years encouraged a about 50 Knesset seats ly been crippled. Much of for opening an investiga- investigated. Such an alle- her announcement as fod- policy that it calls “positive combined. the needed funding for fis- tion had been met subject gation of bias is completely der for his election cam- complementarity” – namely, After the election this cal expenditures will be to a judicial decision on the unfounded. The court is paign. If Bensouda should exploiting the threat of in- nascent coalition would generated by issuing long- question of territorial juris- simply not able to inves- Israel should take advantage of send the notification letters ternational prosecution in proceed in stages: In the term bonds, taking advan- diction. Accordingly, when tigate crimes committed in the coming days, before order to persuade the par- first, the bloc would seek tage of the current low in- the ICC’s pretrial chamber in Iran and Syria because deferral, which could provide the the March 23 election, Is- ties to a conflict to lay down the 11 to 13 additional seats terest rate environment. ruled that the provisions of these countries are not ideal excuse for reinitiating peace rael will be required to for- their weapons. it needs to obtain at least Will all of these things the Rome Statute extend- state parties to the Rome mulate its policy vis-à-vis Under the circumstances, half of the legislature’s 120 happen? Probably not, on ed to the West Bank and Statute. Similarly, the court talks with the Palestinians. deferral at a time when a it would be unfortunate for members from left-wing account of the extreme the Gaza Strip, the formal is not seeking to investigate new government is being Israel to miss the opportu- and centrist parties. The fragmentation of the Is- opening of an investigation in Israel, but rather in the formed and the person who nity of deferral which could critical, and weakest link raeli political system and was just a matter of time. territory of an entity that will not occupy itself with regarding its implementa- will head it is being chosen. provide the ideal excuse for here is Bennett, who has a lack of vision among the From my personal ac- is, effectively, a legal fic- suspicions of war crimes tion. It will not be forgotten These notification letters reinitiating peace talks with not parted ways with Ne- leading political figures. quaintance with both Ben- tion titled “the State of Pal- when there is a state that is that Bensouda identified are, as a rule, sent confiden- the Palestinians. However, tanyahu but might do so. Policy requires planning, souda – who was formerly estine for the purpose of both willing and interested two categories of suspected tially with days of the for- if Israel squanders such an In the second stage, as knowledge and patience, my direct superior at the the Rome Statute.” in investigating them. crimes: the nonproportional mal announcement of the opportunity it should come soon as the Haredi parties all of which are in short court – and with the per- In the next stage of the From the date of receipt use of military force and opening of an investigation. as no surprise if at a later (with their 15 predicted supply. son who will replace her, process, Bensouda will be of such a letter, Israel will the settlement enterprise. Accordingly, it is in Is- date the court will hint that Knesset seats) realize that Likewise, the main prob- Karim Khan, neither will obliged to send so-called have one month to decide Regarding the former, one rael’s interests to clarify, the government has no one a government is being lems of Israel – relations be looking to make hasty letters of notification pur- whether to accede to the ought to assume that Is- through accepted diplo- but itself to blame for the ex- formed without them and with the Palestinians and decisions in the Palestine suant to Article 18.1 of the prosecutor’s invitation. rael would have no problem matic channels, that the port of the judicial process they could lost their fund- the deep problems of the situation. That could not Rome Statute to all state Should Israel choose to claw clawing back an investi- letters should not be sent to The Hague. ing, they will run to join the country’s Arab and Haredi be said about the previous parties to the Rome Statute back the investigation – a gation into events arising until a new government is coalition. Anyone who ex- communities – are likely to prosecutor – Luis Moreno- and even to those states not process termed “deferral” out of the Israel Defense up and running. After all, pects to get them out of the remain unresolved. Ocampo. Both are atten- a party thereto, the latter – the prosecutor will have Force’s 2014 military op- a new government could Nick Kaufman, an expert in picture deceives himself. tive, even sensitive, to pub- at her discretion. In these no opportunity to object erations and the incidents look more favorably on the international law, is a defense In the third stage, if it attorney before the ICC who Eran Yashiv is a professor of lic opinion and to the views letters, she will invite these unless she believes the pro- associated with the protests possibility of reinitiating previously served as a prosecutor turns out that Netanyahu is economics at Tel Aviv University of victims on both sides. states – including Israel – to posed investigation will be along the security fence in the domestic investigation there. He also worked as a on his way to prison, part or and a research fellow at the Centre However, when Prime investigate the suspected a sham. In that case she will the Gaza Strip. However, into various incidents of prosecutor in Jerusalem for all of his Likud party would for Macroeconomics of the London Minister Benjamin Netan- crimes instead of her office. petition the court’s judges with respect to the settle- the nonproportional use of several years. also join the new coalition. School of Economics.