The sun is setting on the cadency of a once-in-a-lifetime leader. Especially now, against the backdrop of shocking images from India, the greatness of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is as evident as ever.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
He vaccinated his people, and within the next few days or weeks, he will bring his state back to normalcy before any other country in the world. Everything he did and continues to do is impressive. Just this week, Israel ranked among the top 20 economies based on GDP per capita. In terms of the security situation, 2020 has been one of the best years for the Jewish state.
There is a link between Netanyahu's success and his entanglement in petty politics. He is a global figure. He transformed from a cautious and hesitant leader who in 2009 depended on his former commander Ehud Barak into a worldwide brand.
His opponents' battles against him are driven by their jealousy. Netanyahu is a veteran world leader, a prime minister who can easily reach out to heads of superpowers. He is a man who is used to achieving almost every goal he sets.
Throughout the years, columnists wrote him off multiple times, yet he continued to stand firm. Recently, however, he began forcing his will on reality. Something went wrong in the latest elections: reality was not taken into account.
Religious Zionism Party head Bezalel Smotrich, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett, New Hope chief Gideon Sa'ar and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz are not caving under his pressure. He lost the vote on the Arrangements Committee and more and more right-wingers voice their concerns over his ability to form a government. He wants to, but it just isn't working out.
For a long time, he believed that as long as he holds his ground, reality will adapt. But on Wednesday, he had no choice but to realize that was not the case. He agreed to appoint Gantz as justice minister.
The hopeless war against Gantz's appointment is just the latest in the string of mistakes Netanyahu made since the March 23 election. When President Reuven Rivlin tapped him to create a coalition, Netanyahu's attacks on Bennett not only did not bring them together, but distanced the two. He tried to reconcile with Sa'ar, but one call to "come home" was not enough.
The political deadlock is the result of two mistakes on Netanyahu's part. For one, the dissolution of the unity government. Proceeding to the fourth round of elections was an unwise step. Also, had Netanyahu not systematically severed ties with Bennett, Sa'ar, and Lieberman, he would not have failed to form a government four times in two years.
No one in Likud dares describe to him the severity of the situation. Their lax approach was reflected in Gantz's appointment. They voted against the move on Tuesday but changed their votes on Wednesday, just because Netanyahu said so. No one can confront the boss and tell him the bitter truth, that he is unable to form a government.
Bottom line, this is what the process of getting off stage looks like. In Netanyahu's case, this process has spanned several years, and has exacerbated in recent weeks. At some point, great leaders must step down. For David Ben Gurion, it was after the Lavon affair, for Margaret Thatcher, it was the poll tax, and for Netanyahu, it is Gantz's appointment.
Nevertheless, we cannot know for a fact that this is the end of Netanyahu's political career. After all, no one has been written off politically as many times as he has.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
