Extending the family reunification law was supposed to have been an undisputed matter. Yet, despite the fact that both Left and Right agree that the law that bars Palestinians who marry Israeli citizens from receiving citizenship is essential to Israel's security and Jewish character, it has turned into a tool for political goading.
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Likud, who is in favor of extending the law in principle, is determined to put obstacles in the new government's attempts to extend it. What makes the situation even more absurd is that the law was enacted by Likud statesmen in the first place.
Without Likud's support, the new government will not be able to extend the law, the consequences of which could be dire. And while Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked would have the power to veto specific applications, each such move will surely involve a petition to the High Court of Justice and without a law on the books to lean on, the court would be hard-pressed to side with the ministry.
This raises the question of how is Likud, that is putting personal political needs before that of the nation, any different than Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is being accused of precisely the same?
Likud's accusations against Bennett, that the new prime minister abandoned the right-wing camp and sided with the Left contrary to campaign promises, are unclear for two reasons. First of all, Benjamin Netanyahu disregarded right-wing ideological reforms himself when he formed a national unity government with Blue and White. And as for siding with Arab parties, the opposition leader planned on doing exactly the same before he failed to form a coalition and was only prevented from doing so by the Religious Zionist Party.
Blaming Yamina was the easier choice, even with the understanding that had Bennett supported Netanyahu in forming a coalition, Israel would have been dragged into another round of elections. Whatever political move Netanyahu allowed himself, he denied from Bennett. That is how he seized ownership of the Right.
At the end of the day, what right-wing voters should ask themselves is not whether they chose Netanyahu or Bennett but who represents their ideology best.
Likud's refusal to support a law that is so crucial for its voters would be a move they would not easily forgive.
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