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Photo: AP
Ehud Barak
Photo: AP
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Benjamin Netanyahu
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Yaron London

A new political map

Separate existence of Labor and Likud does not represent new consensus

Institutions last long after they have stopped being relevant. Some come crashing down suddenly, while others die a slow death.

 

The Labor Party is an example of an institution dying a slow death. It is true some political parties replace their old platform with a newer one, draw younger supporters and offer updated leadership, but there is no sign of this occurring in Labor, which is led by an 81-year-old man, while his apparent successors are middle-aged.

 

The Likud Party's situation is a little better, but signs of its disintegration are already showing. The party is still popular and eager to rule and maintains its bitterness toward the old elite. But bitterness is low-octane fuel, and Likud does not follow any social or political agendas, only interests.

 

Labor, Likud don't represent new consensus

 

Worst of all, the separate existence of both parties does not represent the new Israeli consensus. They squabble and emphasize the differences between them, although most of their supporters' views are similar.

 

They support a free market, borders that will deviate slightly from the Green Line border between Israel proper and the territories, and a secular state in which some Jewish tradition is preserved.

 

Those who contributed to this more than anyone are Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak, political rivals who share similar views.

 

In Camp David, Barak failed politically but was victorious educationally. He made us understand there is no point in waiting for the Palestinians to form a unified political force that will strive for peace, we cannot waste our limited energy on building settlements, and we must immediately draw borders that will include most of the Jews in the territories.

 

Political map based on tradition, ethnicity 

 

Netanyahu familiarized us with the idea whereby the era in which a "big government" ran the economy and looked after the citizens' well being is over. He convinced most of us the state cannot bear the increasing social benefits and the work force must be expanded, even if this process is painstaking.

 

These views are the backbone of Israeli consensus.

 

Barak's political views are clear, while Netanyahu's have not changed since he signed the Hebron agreement in 1997 and supported Gaza disengagement and construction of the separation fence.

 

Today it seems Netanyahu's economic views are exactly like Barak's: they are both situated between lukewarm European social democracy and “merciful” American capitalism. This similarity should have been manifested in one central political party that would represent at least 60 percent of the population, while the religious and nationalist parties, along with the radical left would represent the rest of the population, including Israeli Arabs.

 

However, the political map is not laid out according to political views. It is laid out according to institutional traditions, ethnic affinity, economic interests, and personal ambitions. It seems it won't be long before Barak and Netanyahu will once again lead the two rival parties and attempt to ride their parties' coattails to the Prime Minister's Office.

 

They will try to convince us an ideological abyss separates them, but this bluff will not last forever. Eventually, reality will force itself on the political map.

 

Yaron London is an author, songwriter and co-host of the TV program 'London and Kirshenbaum.' He is a regular contributor to newspaper 'Yediot Ahronot'

פרסום ראשון: 01.09.05, 17:56
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