Benjamin Netanyahu
and Shaul Mofaz
Photo collage
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
"I was surprised, as were most people
who follow Israeli politics, to see a swift
change, literally from one
day to the next, cancelling
early elections with the
formation of a new rul-
ing coalition:' said Allan
Gale, associate director of
the Jewish Community
Relations Council of
Metropolitan Detroit.
Allan Gale
"Israel's democracy is
strong, resilient, vibrant
and amazing. But its
parliamentary system is quite different from
that of the U.S.," he added.
Israeli-born businessman Hannan Lis,
COO of the WW Group Inc. in Farmington
Hills, had a favorable reaction.
"I am not a Likud supporter, but I think
this development is an indication that Bibi
has indeed come a long way as a politician':
he said.
"This was a savvy move by Bibi and
Mofaz, which may actually be in Israel's best
interest. An early election at this time would
have created unnecessary distraction."
In announcing the new coalition,
Netanyahu stated four goals for his
realigned, dominant government:
1.To bring a just and egalitarian alterna-
tive to the Tal Law [which provides military
exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox],
2.To plan a responsible budget,
3.To try to promote a responsible peace
process where security is maintained.
[Renewed attempts to restart talks with the
Palestinians and, perhaps, a unified stand
against Iran],
4.To change the governmental system.
Jeremy Salinger, a past president of Oak
Park-based Ameinu Detroit (formerly
Labor Zionist Alliance),
said,"What I care about
is whether the new gov-
ernment will be more
centrist, which would be
more consistent with the
consensus of the Israeli
electorate.
Jeremy
"I hope that the large
Salinger
majority that the Likud-
Kadima coalition has
26 May 17 • 2012
Detroiters speculate on course
of "shocking" new unity government.
David Sachs I Senior Copy Editor
will allow them to take some bold steps to
address the challenges Israel faces, both
domestically and internationally. I think the
change will bolster the influence of the more
centrist elements in the Likud party and
reverse the recent trend toward ethnocen-
trism and theocracy.
"I'm pleased with what they say are their
Salinger said. "I'm hopeful the
goals they expressed will lead to several
positive changes."
Universal Service
"Simply put, many Israelis take issue with
the fact that most of the ultra-Orthodox
[haredi] community do not serve in the
Israeli Defense Forces — and are calling for
a change to the status quo': ZOWs Erez said.
Lis thinks the new coali-
tion creates an opportu-
nity to resolve this "impor-
tant issue" for' everyone.
"Just being able to cre-
ate a credible and effective
law to better integrate the
haredi community and the
Israeli Arab community
Hannan Lis
into the mainstream of
Israeli society through par-
ticipation in the burden of military/nation-
al service would be a great step forward."
Erez suggested a possible path.
"As opposed to those who suggest inte-
gration of the ultra-Orthodox into the army
by force (i.e., jail or financial sanctions for
those who refuse), Netanyahu and Mofaz
seem to understand that the best way to
integrate this community is through coop-
eration and communication between the
two sides, not by splitting an already divided
nation with fear and intimidation tactics.
"It seems that the ultra-Orthodox political
coalitions have a similar impression of the
new team as they expressed their approval
of the addition of Kadima to the coalition."
Economic Recovery
Regarding Israel's budget, Gale referenced
the economic inequities affecting the middle
and lower classes that led to "tent-city" dem-
onstrations last year.
"A new generation of young people with
serious concerns about their future is to be
reckoned with': he said.
Said Erez,"The [opposition] Labor
Party has proposed a national budget that
would promote a socialized market with
an increase in the amount of government
employees and spending. Socializing the
market without proper balance will raise the
national deficit and limit
competition, which will
reduce economic growth.
A strictly social budget
in Israel would create a
similar economic atmo-
sphere to failing markets
in Europe such as Greece
and
Spain.
Kobi Erez
"As part of its deal in
joining Likud, Kadima
had to agree to support
responsible budgets that promote free
market values, a viewpoint that has been
adopted in Israel over the last decade and
has made it more resilient to world reces-
sion and unstable markets."
War And Peace
Rabbi Herschel Finman, who hosts the The
Jewish Hour from 11-noon Sundays on
WLQV 1500-AM radio, said that whatever
efforts are made in the peace process with
the Palestinians — the security of Israel
must not be compromised.
"The Torah perspective is very clear':
he said. "Under no circumstances can any
process be evoked that will endanger Jewish
lives. The Palestinians have never recog-
nized Israel's right to exist. They have never
stopped their propaganda of incitement.
"Netanyahu proclaimed that if you take
all the guns away from the Arabs, nothing
will happen. If you take guns away from the
Israelis — there will be no Israel."
Finman sees the security issue as compel-
ling — all others issues being "matters of
Israel's internal affairs:'
Lis sees a new opportu-
nity for peace talks.
"The broader coalition
may provide Bibi with
the support he needs to
move forward with effec-
tive negotiations with the
Palestinians," he said. "I
Rabbi
think
Bibi will be smart to
Herschel
use
the
broad coalition to
Finman
take the initiative on the
diplomatic front."
Erez did not agree.
"In my opinion, the joining of Kadima
and Likud will not change the status of
negotiations with the Palestinians," he
said. "The fact that Palestithans refuse to
acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state, refuse
to give up the right of return and continue
to commit acts of terror has not changed.
"This new unity between the parties
might promote some talks between the
Israelis and the Palestinians, but soon
enough they will come to a dead end again,"
he said.
Salinger thought there were possibilities
for an agreement that provides security for
Israel and the Palestinians with a viable
state. "Many times, Bibi has said that Israel
is ready to make hard decisions to achieve
a lasting resolution to the conflict with the
Palestinians," he said.
"I also have read reports that Shaul Mofaz
made some bold proposals. In the past,
Bibi's excuse has been that his government
was too fragile for bold moves. Now that
that excuse is gone, we'll see what happens."
Gale considered the nuclear threat from
Iran.
"Will the new government be able to
unify the country and the political estab-
lishment on what actions are necessary
to take?" he asked. Some commentators
have speculated that the unity government
makes the possibility of a preemptive attack
on Iran more likely. In either case, if Israel
chooses to strike Iran or rely on U.S.-led