Hamas, Hezbollah and coronavirus

Opinion: Threats to the north and south and general electoral exhaustion mean Israel cannot afford to waste time on political squabbles; Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz, we need unity now
Yuval Karni|
There are moments in life when the feeling of revulsion is overtaken by real concern.
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  • After three long and exhausting election campaigns full of dangerous divisive rhetoric, that moment is now upon us.
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    בני גנץ בנימין נתניהו
    בני גנץ בנימין נתניהו
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue & White leader Benny Gantz
    (Photo: AFP)
    Revulsion aside, there is now a genuine concern for us citizens, our country, our political discourse, our political system, and the lack of public trust.
    Truth be told, that one has tried to stop us from deteriorating to the dangers that stem from the current political discourse that only proves how low we've come. Worst still is the sanctimonious contention of our politicians that they are on the side of truth.
    The world of Israeli politics has become over this past year one of extremes. Therefore, we cannot be surprised by what has failed to come out of the recent elections.
    There is no talk of a national unity coalition by either of the major parties, whose positions are very similar on major policy issues. A decision to form such a government would finally enable us to deal with the real issues facing the country.
    It is time for politicians to set aside campaign promises, principles and personal animosities for the greater good.
    Blue & White leader Benny Gantz would like to form a unity government if only Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be removed.
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    בחירות 2020 מצביעים קלפי קלפיות קורונה נתניה
    בחירות 2020 מצביעים קלפי קלפיות קורונה נתניה
    A woman voting in a special vote station for citizens in home quarantine
    (Photo: MCT)
    The prime minister in turn tried and failed three times to win the necessary votes to form a government and advance his agenda, which includes legislation that would release him of his criminal trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
    Three rounds of elections in less than one year have failed to result in a conclusive winner.
    So, what made Gantz rush to try to form a narrow government? Why is Netanyahu refusing to push for national unity?
    Each man is waiting for the other to fail, but if one of them succeeds in establishing a narrow coalition, his government would be hated by half of the public and begin its tenure lacking public trust.
    Israel is dealing with a real emergency at this time, and though politicians prefer to stay away from unity governments, unity is the solution most favored by the voters who dread the idea of a fourth election cycle.
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    חיטוי פאב בחיפה
    חיטוי פאב בחיפה
    Haifa restaurant being disinfected after a confirmed coronavirus patient visited there
    (Photo: Ido Erez)
    The coronavirus will affect not only the health of its citizens and of its medical establishments but could also devastate its economy.
    And lest us forget our ongoing security challenges on our northern and southern fronts.
    We can all dream of our ideal government, but we cannot now, as the window of opportunity is about to close, let the chance of a unity coalition be lost.
    We must all join forces, and hands, and put the county first. It is also time to heal the wounds so Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz, to you I say: Unity now
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