Israel Analysis

Elections

By Jim Fletcher copied from Koenig World Watch Daily

You can almost smell the desperation of Netanyahu’s political enemies to upend his political career. Rarely in my lifetime have I seen a more hated politician. I believe this is essentially due to the Netanyahu threat to globalism and Leftist pro-terrorism policies. I won’t fall into the left-wing trap of first listing his bad qualities. No quantifying things here.

I will focus on the things he’s accomplished for his people in the last 40 years. Fifty years ago, his older brother Jonathan fell at Entebbe, as hostages were rescued from terrorists and the Ugandan army. Bibi has said this is what drove him to politics. All three Netanyahu brothers served in the elite counter-terrorism unit, Sayeret Matkal.

Beginning in the early 80s, Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu began what would become a robust political career. His perfect English, practiced in American schools, was the perfect match for his intellect and quick-study traits. Starting in the Israeli embassy, he networked heavily among Western diplomats and politicians. Combining humor and charm with sober-minded vigilance, he set out to make sure Israel stayed safe.

That was no small order back then, or now. Israel’s situation from a human perspective was always precarious. Bibi also at least understands the biblical issues. He and Menachem Begin are the only Israeli prime ministers to hold Bible studies at the residence in Jerusalem.

His father, Benzion, was a renowned history professor and fierce Zionist. Good for him. Unapologetic, he stood for Israel’s right to self-determination his whole life, and he knew early Zionists like Ze’ev Jabotinsky. The three Netanyahu brothers, growing up in a Jerusalem suburb, learned Zionism around the family dinner table.

Bibi won his first premiership in 1996, fending off Shimon Peres, who had lost his way by embracing disingenuous “peace” partners. He fell into the trap of thinking a robust economy would turn the “Palestinians” away from their thirst for Jewish blood. Nothing will, and some understood this. Charles Krauthammer once famously wrote about Peres’ vision for a “Maginot Line of five-star hotels” in Arab lands. Meaning, the “Palestinians” don’t care about no stinking robust economy. They remain committed to wiping Israel off the earth.

All this to say, we are now hearing from the usual suspects in Western media that Israel is ready to move on from Netanyahu in the upcoming October elections. He has served as prime minister for 19 of Israel’s modern 78 years. Remarkable.

His successes have infuriated his enemies, of whom there are many. I suspect the media reports of his political demise—which have been trotted out for years—are largely bogus. They are even now using Trump’s alleged movement away from Netanyahu in much the same way Clinton and Obama sent their goons to Israel to interfere in Israeli elections.

But the Israeli people, even those who dislike him, know that Netanyahu has held off the genocidal terrorists. Notwithstanding October 7—which was inevitable—Netanyahu has held the killers at bay for 30 years. Never pleasing everyone, he has retained his Zionism against political realities. I predict he will win again.

Until he does, he has some interesting foes. Recent polling (I rarely trust this form of propaganda, which is intended to persuade the masses, many of whom can’t think for themselves) suggests that Netanyahu’s chief rival is Gadi Eisenkot, a former general and chief of general staff. Allegedly, as of this week, his party, Yasher, holds a lead over Likud. Remember, Israeli elections depend on the party, even over the candidate.

Eisenkot, born in Eilat, has a glittering resume. He has a post-graduate degree from Haifa University and was a member of the elite Golani Brigade. 

He also advocates for a two-state solution and draft exemptions for a percentage of the haredim.

In other words, he’s a typical heroic IDF man that becomes dumb when he enters politics.

A two-state solution? 

Are you daft, man?

Israel, especially after 10/7, can never agree to give those devils a state. To do so is to commit suicide. This is the non-starter issue.

Also, a Wikipedia entry for Eisenkot says this:

“Eisenkot advocates for a state rooted in national-Jewish values but with equal rights for all citizens. He supports a two-state solution with the Palestinians, prioritizing the Jordan Valley and settlement blocs, and advocates a long-term ceasefire and demilitarization in the Gaza Strip.

“He views Syria, Lebanon, and Iran not as existential threats, but rather emphasizes the internal challenge of domestic polarization in Israel. Eisenkot advocates for a two-state solution with the Palestinians to maintain a Jewish-democratic state and avoid a bi-national state, but insists on retaining portions of the occupied West Bank, including the Jordan Valley and settlement blocs.”

Is he serious? Syria, Lebanon and Iran are not existential threats? 

This can’t be a serious candidacy. Do you really think Israelis would entrust their security to such a person?

I don’t.