After thirteen months and three elections, Israel finally has a new government. As a result, an uneasy sigh of relief has spread among many members of the citizenry. The relief comes from the knowledge that the nation will not have to endure a fourth election. The thought of another season of campaigning was painful to consider after so much money and goodwill has already been wasted in the previous three contests. Besides, today’s cultural climate sees the people of Israel desiring to unify, as together they face down the COVID-19 pandemic. The feeling of “Can’t we all just get along?” is in the hearts of most. Thankfully, the rival candidates, current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz, have recognized this unity mood and have agreed to participate in a coalition government. But it is in this coalition where one might experience the slight uneasiness.

On Sunday, May 17, Netanyahu was sworn in for his fifth term as prime minister. Already the longest-serving holder of that office in Israel’s history, he will continue to lead the government for the first half of the upcoming mandated three-year term. Then, on November 17, 2021, when his eighteen months come to an end, leadership will be transferred to Gantz for the duration. At his swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “The public wants a unity government, and that is what it is getting.”[1] On paper it all looks good. Input from Netanyahu’s Likud party coalition and Gantz’s Blue and White party coalition was taken into consideration as government ministry portfolios were doled out. Even through the typical wrangling and horse-trading of that process, the anti-coronavirus “Kumbaya” spirit prevailed. So far so good.

The unease rises from the fact that this coalition government is wholly unprecedented in Israel. While it is wonderful to see everyone standing together as arm in arm as social distancing will allow, the division between the Likud and the Blue and White parties—and particularly their leaders—runs deep. So while Netanyahu says that he and Gantz will “[put] our divisions aside and [stand] shoulder to shoulder facing the major challenges that the coronavirus pandemic poses us in health, economy, and society,”[2] it will be interesting to watch how this camaraderie plays out. This is particularly true as the nation appears to be emerging from under the crisis of COVID-19. The other wild card is Netanyahu’s trial for three cases of corruption set to begin this week. The swearing in of a prime minister under a corruption indictment is another first for Israel.[3]

With about 17,000 cases of COVID-19 and at least 277 deaths[4], it is encouraging to see the party leaders and the Knesset unifying in mind and purpose. Kudos to both Netanyahu and Gantz for their willingness to put personal feelings aside for the sake of the nation. This coalition government has the potential to be a great unifying factor for a divided electorate. Time will tell whether what looks very good on paper can actually be carried out in real life.

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[1] “Netanyahu Hails Unity Gov’t as End to ‘Deep Polarization of Nation,’” i24NEWS, May 17, 2020, www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1589716095-netanyahu-hails-unity-gov-t-as-end-to-deep-polarization-of-nation?utm_source=facebook.com.

[2] “Netanyahu Hails Unity Gov’t as End to ‘Deep Polarization of Nation,’” i24NEWS.

[3] Times of Israel staff, “Knesset Set to Approve Coalition Deal, with Government to Be Sworn in May 13,” Times of Israel, May 7, 2020, www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-set-to-approve-coalition-deal-with-government-to-be-sworn-in-may-13/?utm_source=dlvr.it.

[4] Times of Israel staff, “New Fatality Takes Israel’s COVID-19 Death Toll to 277,” Times of Israel, May 19, 2020, www.timesofisrael.com/new-fatality-takes-covid-19-death-toll-to-277/