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Netanyahu and Bennett. 'They are the problem which is now disguising itself as the solution'
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Photo: Ariel Besor
Ziv Lenchner
Photo: Ariel Besor

Netanyahu's social disguise

Op-ed: Likud hasn't 'lost its social sensitivity,' as some MKs say, simply because one cannot lose what one never had.

These days, during the election period, our political sky is being lit up with two miraculous phenomena which leave every astronauts astounded: Sudden centralization and sudden socialization.

 

 

The most hawkish candidates are forcibly pushing their developed rightist side into the unclear centrist framework, mumbling words of peace which have no connection to reality or to the principles of an agreement acceptable to any of our enemies. But they say that being "centrist" may benefit one in the polls, so why not? Let's become centrist.

 

Another fascinating phenomenon is the social awakening which is taking hold of the capitalist right, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is suddenly working to raise the salaries of those who make a meager wage.

 

Two nasty processes have teamed up here, forcing conservative and consistent politicians to go out of their way and change their spots. The first is the petty public's obsessive engagement in matters of livelihood and income, in minor daily issues like housing, health, education and nursing, or in general – the cost of living.

 

The other is an annoying absence of immediate and concrete security-related risks. There is nothing to pressure us with right now: Hamas and Hezbollah are barely available to fire at us, the Iranian nuclear program has yet to mature and even the glorified Islamic State is not really interested in us for now.

 

On the other hand, that remote and missed social protest, which failed to leverage its momentum and translate into political power, is still sowing its seeds. Or perhaps it is the economic policy and the situation it generated which placed the agenda with all its might on the voter's desk.

 

In any event, a slight reliability issue sneaks into one's mind: It's kind of difficult to be convinced when the Likud and Bayit Yehudi parties, which have naturally pinned their hopes on Israel's wars and settlements, put on an expression of social concern in times of trouble and rush to declare social loyalty and matching intentions.

 

The voter has to be blindly in love with his elected representatives to buy from them social merchandise which they never marketed and never believed in: A proper minimum wage, zero VAT on basic products, and other logical moves in favor of weakened populations.

 

Collecting food on the street. Have our elected representatives suddenly remembered the weakened populations? (Photo: George Ginsburg)
Collecting food on the street. Have our elected representatives suddenly remembered the weakened populations? (Photo: George Ginsburg)
 

Netanyahu, Bennett and their partners are not only unfamiliar with the social policy – why they are the ones who created this reality. They are the problem which now, ahead of Purim and the elections, is disguising itself as the solution.

 

From this point, the plot thickens: How exactly will they conceal the distress that they have strengthened, while their hands are tied by huge defense and "settlement" budgets, the budgets which stem from their worldviews, principles and platforms?

 

This will likely be the next act of magic which will be presented to us by March 17: See, we can do it both ways. An economic right and a social left. Pro-settlements and pro-welfare. Occupying and compassionate.

 

But the most amazing witchcraft will not be selling it – but buying it. Being persuaded, as voters, by a show of self-deception, believing that the double-headed monster is capable of being born and staying alive.

 

The Likud has not "lost its social sensitivity," as Knesset Member Danny Danon said, simply because one cannot lose what one never had. A social smoke screen, maybe. Social lip service, perhaps. But sensitivity – especially one which is accompanied and backed by a policy – never existed. Here's a wild guess: It will never exist either.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.27.14, 08:04
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