Upon learning the result of the most recent general election, hundreds of thousands of voters from the religious Zionist camp felt an immense sense of frustration. Their ballots were chucked into the recycling bin and their choice wasn't counted at all. Beyond any personal frustration, the loss of mandates prevented the formation of a consolidated right-wing government, and Avigdor Lieberman managed to completely feed the appetites of those who wanted him to block Netanyahu from forming a coalition. In the near future, Israeli citizens will go to the polling stations again, this time wiser and more seasoned.
Ever since the dawn of mankind, and according to some since the Garden of Eden, there has been a conflict between emotion and common sense, wisdom and impulse, imagination and reality. Politics by nature is a place of emotion and impulse. People who lack the impulse to acquire power don't go near the political kitchen. With that, there are times it is appropriate to brush feelings of anger, resentment and outrage aside in favor of common sense. With so much hanging in the balance, it is necessary to forsake matters of prestige and portfolios in favor of responsibility to the vision and path.
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The upcoming election is of utmost importance to the integrity of Israel and unity of Jerusalem; and beyond obviously important matters of security, diplomacy, and economy, the election will be critical for the country's ability to define itself as Jewish. The Israeli Left, led by the Blue and White party, is trying to create the impression that the election is about Netanyahu's corruption allegations. It is very convenient for the Left to divert the discussion in this direction because on the real questions the four co-leaders of Blue and White really don't have much to offer, certainly not a unified message. The right-wing parties must not fall into this trap and forget for one moment what is really at stake.
The head-butting among right-wing party leaders is an expression of bitter, unnecessary and harmful sentiments. Anyone who thinks running alone this time will help them pass the electoral threshold is forgetting that wise people don't make the mistake twice. The question now isn't about who is right, but who is smart. Sadly, hospitals are filled with victims of traffic accidents who were right.
The only question that needs to be asked is which unified right-wing ticket can win the most mandates. The answer to this question cannot be provided by the candidates themselves, who are convinced of their own appeal, and certainly not by biased pollsters often prone to blatant inaccuracy. Not to mention those pollsters whose mistaken prognostications raised the price of cannabis stock. It is imperative to agree on a common path, whether through neutral pollsters or a constrictive summit of some sort. In the 21st century, other methods could very well emerge.
Israel will never forgive those who, in the critical days that lay ahead, put their own interests above the ability to realize the vision.
