I voted for Yamina and I see the government that is about to be formed and my stomach is turning. When an elected official with only seven seats in parliament – who merely two years ago didn't even cross the electoral threshold – is poised to become prime minister it represents a move undermining democracy.
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When an Israeli government finds it is dependent on the Islamist Ra'am party – it undermines national security and the Zionist vision. When Labor leader Merav Michaeli sits on the Judicial Nominations Committee – it undermines the important process of keeping the High Court of Justice in check and bolstering governance.
I voted for Yamina but I don't feel that I was cheated. Bennett's main campaign promise was to prevent a fifth election campaign and keeping this promise supersedes anything else, especially campaign promises given at the last minute and under duress. At the end of the day, in the complex political reality in Israel, one has to choose the lesser evil.
Having Israel's best interest at heart made Bennett opt for the absolutely last resort to avoid the calamity of a fifth election. Going that road again would have dealt a massive blow to the public's confidence in the democratic process, it would have rattled national and public security, and it would have completely eroded the elected officials' ability to govern vis-à-vis the tyranny of the judicial system.
Many Likud supporters have excoriated Bennett over his decision, calling him a "liar" and a "traitor." That, of course, is ridiculous. Why is Bennett precluded from doing the exact same thing Netanyahu did only a few months ago?
Netanyahu had promised to form a right-wing government and ended up partnering with the Left – excluding his natural partners, namely Bennett and Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich.
It was only a few weeks ago that Netanyahu was courting Ra'am to get it to endorse his government. His lackeys called Smotrich a "traitor" for digging in his heels and refusing to enter a coalition backed by an Islamist party. Now, the very same lackeys are calling Bennett out as a "traitor" for doing exactly what Netanyahu had set out to do.
I voted for Yamina because it was the only part that wouldn't play the "Anyone but Bibi" or "Only Bibi" game. Yamina was the only party to say they would consider partnering with any worthy candidate, regardless of political affiliation.
It was a different voice – one that is inclusive, that seeks to find a common ground and do anything to pull Israel out of the political tailspin of the past two years.
The fact that Yamina found itself in a position where it was "owned" by no one, a position where it could shift the balance of power, is what got it to a position to lead the country.
This is how Bennett has been able to pull off the most successful political exit in Israel's history. All we can do now is pray that he sees through his vision of healing the rifts and being everyone's prime minister.
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