Friend,
This week, Israeli politics sailed into unfamiliar new territory.
Naftali Bennett, a hardline right-winger who once served as Netanyahu’s chief-of-staff, has taken over as prime minister in a new coalition government, ending Netanyahu’s twelve-year reign in office. He is supported not by Netanyahu’s coalition of the Likud and ultra-orthodox parties, but by a complex and diverse group of centrists, progressives, breakaway right-wingers and religiously conservative Palestinian citizens of Israel -- each of which essentially holds veto power over much of the government’s domestic and foreign policy agenda.
Thousands of progressive and centrist Israelis marked the new government with celebrations on the streets. Loyalists marked the moment with bitter and angry protests. Netanyahu gave an embittered parting speech and has already branded the new government as ‘fraudulent’ and captured by the ‘radical left.’
This is a significant moment not just for Israel, but the US-Israel relationship and, potentially, the wider region. And of course, it’s a critical moment for our work here at J Street.
The course this new Israeli government will take on key issues -- from settlements to the Iran deal to Sheikh Jarrah to Gaza restrictions to equality for Israeli citizens -- remains uncertain. We know that while the progressive and center-left parties will likely be able to block some of the worst excesses of the occupation and de facto annexation, this government is also unlikely to act to address the root causes of violence and injustice at the heart of this conflict.
What is certain, however, is that the work we do to support our allies in Israel -- several of whom are now ministers in the new Israeli government -- matters now more than ever. More so than at any moment in recent decades, the signals sent by American leaders will have a significant impact on policy-making as parties jostle for influence and work to repair Israel’s democratic institutions, the US-Israel relationship and Israel’s international standing.
At J Street, we’re pushing for our leaders to make a clean break with the failed policies of the past that have too often given a blank check to the far-right and done little to empower those in Israel who share our values. Now is the moment to pursue a new vision for the US-Israel relationship, one grounded in support for the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security and self-determination.
In recent days, as this new government has taken shape and finally been sworn in, we’ve created and shared a number of different reflections, analyses and resources to help you navigate this major political change and what it means. To make sure you didn’t miss anything, you can find links to each of them below.
For even more analysis on this new government, we are holding a special briefing tomorrow, June 16 at 12pm ET on the "change" coalition with J Street Israel Executive Director Nadav Tamir. Click here to register >>
Thank you,
Adina Vogel Ayalon
Chief of Staff
J Street Israeli Political Resources
Following the official formation of the new government, J Street welcomed it and congratulated its leaders on “their achievement in negotiating the formation of an ideologically diverse coalition in the face of tremendously aggressive and intense political pressure tactics.” We noted that “the election of a new government does not mean an automatic change in policy or ideology when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or a number of important issues. What it does mean is that -- for the first time in many years -- Israeli leaders and society have a very welcome opportunity to change course on critical questions, including the occupation and Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people.”
Read and share our full statement >>
Netanyahu’s 12 years in office were marked by a rise in ethnonationalism, extremism and a view that the status quo of violence and injustice is an acceptable, ‘manageable’ feature of permanent occupation and conflict. In rejecting diplomacy, undercutting hopes for a two-state solution, allying with Trumpism and betraying Israel’s founding principles of justice, democracy and equality, Netanyahu drove a painful wedge between Israel and American Jews.
Now, we have the chance for a new beginning. In the coming weeks and months, American leaders should reaffirm their commitment to a just, secure and democratic future for Israel -- while also making clear that the disastrous, right-wing policies and ideology of the Netanyahu era have put that vision in terrible jeopardy.
Read and share the full post >>
Parties in the new government span the ideological spectrum from progressive to Islamist to centrist to far-right, united by the common goal of defeating Netanyahu -- and little else. While Prime Minister Bennett hails from the far-right, he’ll be far more constrained in his actions than Netanyahu was since he must maintain the backing of a much broader cabinet and coalition.
Read and share our guide to who’s who in the new government >>
Last week, Gabriel Mitchell, director of External Relations at Mitvim: The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, joined J Street’s Director of Government Affairs Debra Shushan for a timely discussion about the shape of Israel’s incoming government. They discussed its likely approach to the US-Israel relationship, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and occupation, and much more.
Watch the full briefing with expert analyst Gabriel Mitchell >>
In the Times of Israel, J Street’s Israel Director Nadav Tamir shares his insights on a path forward for the US-Israel relationship. “Biden and Lapid’s similar approaches may bring about a change in relations between the two countries despite the inability of the new Israeli government to lead a significant initiative,” Tamir writes. “The very return to the traditional approach of mutual respect between the states and the cessation of the Netanyahu governments’ attempt to side with the Republican Party and to favor the evangelical Christians over the Jewish community marks the beginning of necessary healing.”
Read and share the full Times of Israel Op-Ed >>
