Title: Coalition’s Coup Plan Fails to Materialize as Opposition Fights Back
Subtitle: Public opinion turns against the attempted coup as government’s legislative agenda faces obstacles
The plan laid out by Yariv Levin and Simcha Rothman to carry out a swift and decisive coup in Israel’s political landscape has failed to come to fruition as the opposition fought back, causing significant delays in the coalition’s efforts. Had the plan been successful, the coalition would have completed its agenda by the end of the summer session. However, it is now apparent that their anticipated victory is slipping away.
The envisioned scenario included the appointment of Boaz Yosef as the mayor of Tiberias, the approval of the “Torah study” basic law, and the formation of a new committee for the appointment of judges, alongside the abolishment of the principle of seniority in the Supreme Court. Moreover, the files against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were expected to collapse. However, these aspirations seem increasingly unlikely.
Levin and Rothman’s plan was reminiscent of a blitzkrieg, mirroring Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The coalition members were overconfident and reckless, failing to accurately assess the balance of power. Instead of a quick victory, they faced a protracted battle, capturing global attention in the process. The majority of Israeli society, who were not part of the government, fiercely opposed their efforts.
The recent photo of the Knesset plenum, where the reduction of the reasonable cause was approved, does not depict a victorious moment. It represents a significant setback for the coalition as they faced two painful blows. Firstly, public opinion turned against the attempted coup, not only among opposition voters but also among a considerable number of Likud supporters.
While there was no official referendum, the sentiment expressed on the streets, within security systems, high-tech, healthcare, and the manufacturing sector made it evident that Levin and Rothman’s plan lacked popular support. The second blow came from internal dissent within the Likud party, as heads of authorities and party candidates openly expressed concerns about potential damage to their electoral chances. This led to a message sent to Netanyahu, urging him to wait.
Consequently, the coalition will face renewed challenges when they reconvene in November. Their plans to appoint a compliant Supreme Court president and proceed with other controversial legislation are likely to face stiff opposition. Additionally, the looming conscription law presents another obstacle to the coalition’s ambitions. It is clear that victory is far from certain for either side.
As the Knesset enters its recess, it leaves behind 25 proposed government laws that remain stuck in various stages of the parliamentary process. These bills have encountered hurdles, partly due to opposition Members of Knesset who worked diligently overnight to obstruct their progression. The opposition’s operations officers, Zeev Elkin and Merev Ben Ari Mish Atid, played vital roles in thwarting the coalition’s legislative agenda.
The significance of the opposition’s efforts lies in the timing. Levin had initially suggested that Netanyahu’s trial provided an opportunity to implement their plan. However, the trial’s proceedings have been delayed, leaving the timeline uncertain. It remains to be seen whether Netanyahu’s testimony will occur before any significant legislative reforms can take place.
While much attention is focused on contentious reforms tied to the judiciary and the ombudsman, it is essential to recognize that other government bills, designed to facilitate the function and governance of the coalition, are also critical. Some proposals have generated controversy, such as laws allowing the ruling party to control the Central Election Committee or the operation of chastity police near the Western Wall. While these initiatives have been momentarily halted, they are still waiting for their moment to resurface.
The failure of the unity government compromise proposed by then-President Ruby Rivlin reveals that the crisis in Israeli politics cannot be solely attributed to an aversion to Netanyahu. In two instances, the opportunity to form a unity government and include Netanyahu’s natural partners arose, but he declined both times. He insisted on working exclusively with the ultra-Orthodox partners and pursued immunity as a condition for negotiations. Consequently, the notion that Netanyahu could have formed a government without the influence of far-right factions has been debunked.
The coalition now faces an uphill battle as public sentiment turns against the attempted coup and opposition forces strengthen their position. With influential opposition figures willing to take a stand and legislative hurdles proving challenging to overcome, the coalition’s path to achieving its goals has become significantly more uncertain.