Purim is over, even in Yerushalayim which enjoyed a three-day
Purim this year, but the Purim spirit lives on in Israel, and
especially in Yerushalayim.
Israeli politics of the past months has been characterized by
twists, turns, disguises, and surprises. Even though Israeli
politicians have never been known for their consistency, even
veteran observers have been taken by surprise at some of the
changes.
The big vote this week is about the Israeli state budget. By
law, the government must pass a budget by the end of March or
else new elections are held. If new elections are called, it
is assumed that the disengagement plan from Gaza and the
northern Shomron will be postponed (though this need not
necessarily be the case, but this is what is widely assumed)
until after the elections and the formation of a new
government — which may cancel it altogether, opponents
hope.
So, many politicians are taking the opposite position of
their beliefs about the budget itself because of the
disengagement that is supposed to be tied to it.
Labor, which has severely criticized the anti-social-welfare
policies of the Sharon-Netanyahu budget and as far as the
merits of the budget itself would certainly be happier voting
"nay," is instead solidly in favor of the budget all the way
down the line.
The Likud "rebels" — those who oppose party leader
Sharon's disengagement plan but otherwise remain loyal Likud
members — are basically in favor of the budget in
principle since most of them accept Netanyahu's approach to
shoring up the economy for growth. Other things being equal,
they would certainly vote "yea" for the budget. However since
they want to stop the disengagement, they will vote against
it.
For months Shinui, former partner of the government and still
an enthusiastic supporter of the substance of all its
policies (it only left because the chareidim were given $65
million), had declared that as the leader of the opposition
it would not support the government. Even though its own
supporters and plenty of others explained that it was being
silly and would certainly be punished at the polls if it
voted against a budget that it basically believes in and
causes the failure of the disengagement that it passionately
believes in, Shinui leaders insisted that they would not
budge. However last week Lapid suddenly gave in completely
for a slush fund of about $165 million that he could have had
months earlier. They remain outside the government, but they
will vote with it.
Superficially, Sharon seems to be in a great position
politically. His largest and most credible opposition party
(Labor) is part of the government, his own party nonetheless
retains the key ministries, he was elected by a large margin
two years ago and still enjoys broad-based support in the
polls — even the press is nice to him. It sounds
wonderful and the truth is that arguably no Israeli leader
has ever had all this at once.
His own problem is within his own party! About a third of his
own Likud is bitterly opposed to his disengagement plan and
fights it openly. Maybe another third is also not happy with
his approach but unwilling to oppose him openly because of
various personal and political concerns.
It is all truly a confusing and confused situation.
Adar-Nisan is known as the season of Redemption, beginning
with the miracle of Purim, through the Exodus of Pesach and
culminating at Sinai. After Purim, we always look forward to
Pesach. The current situation can remind us how pathetic the
entire current situation is, and strengthen our prayers and
work towards the real Redemption. May it come soon, in our
days.
