The first job for whoever will lead Israel for the next four years will be to heal the rifts.
In the battle between the right-wing and left-wing blocs over the path the nation will take, both sides were dealing blows that were much too low. One cast doubt about his opponent's mental stability and the other accused the prime minister of treason. One mocked his rivals, and the rivals responded with condescension and made-up stories about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters.
Unlike the U.S., where the losing side did not accept the results of the presidential election and continued to slander the victor, here in Israel the losing side must acknowledge the legitimacy of whoever wins, and not question his right to lead the country as he sees fit.
The same applies to Prime Minister Netanyahu, who must stop his policy of attacking his rivals and go back to the caution that characterized him until 2015. He mustn't forget for a moment the dramatic hours of Tuesday, in which it appeared that he and the Right were about to lose power. One of the reasons that happened was because of his crudeness toward his opponents.
The people, on the Right and the Left, are expecting reconciliation. Despite the personal attacks Netanyahu was subject to and will remain subject to in the future, he must make it clear that he is everyone's prime minister. Especially since this could be his last term.
