Neither Sparta nor Athens: a unity government for Israel

One people, one state. And a single face of Israel for the world: security and democracy. The contempt for Netanyahu, the frenzied desire to see him lose the elections badly, to have him end up in prison for corruption; but if this trap were not to spring, then there is the impulse to brand him a war criminal, all this condemnation of the man who has led Israel for twenty years, the man waging war against enemies following the failure of attempts to achieve a stable and convincing peace – all this crude and overwhelming sentiment, all this hysteria, characterises the ‘fine people’ in the West who feel this way; and it is understood, conversely, in the context of the political and electoral struggle in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, two of the most contentious cities in the world. I am in favour of a coalition government and national unity; I trust Netanyahu and also Eisenkot; I would welcome the exclusion from government of small messianic parties more or less inspired by Rabbi Kahane, and the restoration of a united front to the world by the so-called Zionists – the new bogeymen of the disguised anti-Semites and the millions of fools who follow them. 

Everyone agrees, from the leader of Likud to the leader of the opposition coalition, Eisenkot: one people, one state – at least until we can have two secure democracies and two peoples living in secular peace, free from jihadism and nihilism getting in the way; for now, that remains a distant prospect. So let’s get on with it. The somewhat barbaric ramblings of the election campaign – Sparta or Athens – are drawing to a close, with millions of Israelis, Jews and Arabs casting their votes freely. Someone will have to pave the way for a turning point, given that going to the polls for the sixth time since 2019, in the event of a deadlock in the Knesset, seems like a bit of a gamble to just about everyone.

Israel needs a pioneering spirit, a touch of Italian-style political creativity – cynical, perhaps even mischievous, but effective. Its current position in the world is untenable. It has done what it had to and could do to repel the assault of 7 October and deal a harsh blow to the seven fronts of the encirclement, whilst also safeguarding itself through nuclear deterrence, but all this has come at the cost of progressive isolation from American public opinion – Republicans and Democrats alike – not to mention Europe. At the International Criminal Court, the criteria of ‘Zulu justice’ have prevailed, seasoned with a dash of Pakistani spice and British indifference regarding the former Palestinian mandate; thus, those who defend themselves and strike back are deemed criminals, whilst the pogrom is downplayed as an act of resistance under military occupation. The press and television swallow it hook, line and sinker; humanitarianism becomes a dagger to be plunged into the back of the country, its people and its army; the victims of Nazism become the new Nazis. Netanyahu and Eisenkot will never be forgiven if they fail to rebuild a solid, rock-solid, yet intelligent and approachable image of their shared country and destiny. Israel cannot oscillate between Spartan cries and threats of emigration from the educated middle classes, the ‘start-up nation’, and the ranks of writers and neurotic intellectuals; it is a country undergoing a trial that would have crushed anyone, a land of the brave, the strong, and deeply human, all-round ambitious citizens, capable of respecting others and themselves whilst commanding respect. We need to decide who will be at the helm – but of a government of national unity.