When it comes to political loyalties in Israel, “We” often means “we, until the next election.”
Aryeh Deri, the influential Shas chairman, recently offered a stark reaffirmation of his party’s unwavering allegiance to Benjamin Netanyahu and the broader right-wing bloc. Speaking to an unspecified outlet, Deri’s pronouncements came at a critical juncture, with the specter of future elections looming and the perennial coalition dance already beginning its preliminary steps. His comments weren’t just a political endorsement; they were a declaration of ideological war against perceived opponents, particularly targeting Benny Gantz’s National Unity party and its leader, Gadi Eisenkot.
What landed
Deri’s interview left little room for misinterpretation regarding Shas’s current political compass. He declared, with a definitive air, that “‘We support Netanyahu, period,'” cementing his party’s position firmly within the current right-wing coalition. This wasn’t merely a statement of preference but a strategic declaration, signalling that Shas sees its future inextricably linked with the veteran Likud leader, come what may.
Even more striking, and certainly more incendiary, was Deri’s direct assault on political rivals. He asserted, without apparent hesitation, that “Eisenkot heads a camp driven by hatred of Judaism.” This accusation, levelled against a prominent figure from the National Unity party, transcends mere policy disagreement; it frames the opposition as ideologically hostile to the very fabric of religious Jewish identity. Such rhetoric, while perhaps designed to energize his base, undoubtedly raises the temperature of an already volatile political climate, drawing clear lines of division that extend far beyond electoral strategy. Deri further stressed that a “broad Netanyahu-led government should be formed after the elections,” underscoring his vision for continued right-wing dominance and an outright rejection of any centrist or leftward shifts in governance.
What doesn’t add up
While Deri’s declaration of unwavering support for Netanyahu might seem definitive – “period,” as he put it – the history of Israeli coalition politics suggests that such absolutes are often more aspirational than eternal. The phrase “‘We support Netanyahu, period'” carries a certain finality, yet one might wryly observe that in the fluid landscape of Israeli power-broking, periods often give way to question marks, particularly when the allocation of portfolios and budgets begins in earnest. Unwavering loyalty, in this context, frequently possesses a shelf life that extends precisely until the next round of negotiations.
The accusation that Gadi Eisenkot’s camp is “driven by hatred of Judaism” is perhaps the most significant rhetorical leap. While it serves to galvanize Deri’s religious-Zionist base, it also demands scrutiny. Is this a genuine assessment of a former IDF Chief of Staff and his political allies, or is it a calculated maneuver to demonize the opposition, making any future coalition with them an ideological impossibility for Shas? Framing political disagreement as existential hatred of a religion is a powerful, if dangerous, tactic that simplifies complex policy debates into a stark, irreconcilable cultural conflict. It sidesteps the nuances of governance and national security, instead offering a clear, unambiguous enemy for one’s supporters to rally against.
The call for a “broad Netanyahu-led government” also presents an intriguing paradox. How broad can a government truly be when one of its key prospective partners explicitly accuses potential rivals of religious animosity? Such rhetoric creates deep schisms that make cross-bloc cooperation exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. The “broad” aspect, then, might only extend to those already ideologically aligned, effectively narrowing the scope rather than expanding it, or perhaps it implies a government so dominant it can simply ignore the “haters.” This selective breadth is a classic political sleight of hand, promising unity while sowing division.
Deri’s latest pronouncements aren’t just fodder for political pundits; they are a clear pre-election salvo that sets the tone for future coalition negotiations. By doubling down on Netanyahu and weaponizing accusations of religious animosity, Shas has drawn a hard line in the sand. Come Monday morning, the path to any future Israeli government will be forced to navigate the deep ideological chasms Deri has so emphatically articulated, making compromise a far more elusive prospect and further entrenching the existing political blocs.
Source: OnTheRecord