To this point, all we've seen is the political echelon's acquiescence to the judiciary and media. They call it being "stately." As if there were no more national interests; as if there was no country to run and Israel's entire essence was to be leashed by regulatory statutes. Perhaps now there will be acquiescence to the high authority of the American president.
The invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to the White House is first and foremost a reminder to politicians in Israel that there are also a few diplomatic problems that need tending to, and diplomatic opportunities that may even require attention in the coming months.
As more details about the "deal of the century" emerge, it is becoming clear: Avigdor Lieberman, who knew what was at stake, is responsible for torpedoing the best diplomatic plan Israel has been offered since 1967. This is the only significance of his abandonment of the right-wing bloc and his attack on the Satmar Rebbe.
Just two weeks ago, the prime minister spoke to the Kohelet Policy Forum about great opportunities to do away with old diplomatic plans. As if on demand, US President Donald Trump waited until the final speech at the Fifth World Holocaust Forum to present this opportunity – his deal of the century.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also addressed the Kohelet forum and reiterated Israel's legal rights over the communities in Judea and Samaria. The assessments are that Trump's plan will recognize this right. It's safe to venture a guess that the plan won't seek to define borders. But it also won't include references to the 1967 borders as a basis for a final status agreement. A source familiar with the details of the Trump plan confirms that such terms have been removed, while terms such as "defensible borders" in the form of the Jordan Valley are "in."
This dramatic diplomatic development is a stark reminder to the diplomatic-political echelon in Israel that surrendering to legal opinions is a dangerous course of action and that existential matters take precedence. Tuesday, after all, will be a fateful day in terms of immunity or non-immunity for Netanyahu. The Israeli and American governments are mired in legal proceedings. Netanyahu spoke two weeks ago about a window of opportunity that could also close. Whether he is the next prime minister or Gantz, it is preferable for any Israeli government to begin its diplomatic journey with the Trump administration, and it is desirable for this journey to continue after the US election in November.
The signal to Gantz is unmistakable: What's important here is the State of Israel, before any personal and partisan interests.
As far as the upcoming Israeli election is concerned, Trump's move is a tailwind for Netanyahu, but also bolsters Gantz within his Blue and White party. When the diplomatic plan is finally put on the table, Moshe Ya'alon, number three in Blue and White, will have to decide if the country is more important than his vendetta against Netanyahu.
