The Media Has Counted Netanyahu Out; They May Be Wrong

A HARRY HURLEY OPINION - EDITORIAL

Yogi Berra may prove to be right, again.

“It ain’t over, ‘til it’s over.”

The world media has raced to declare the end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s record reign in Israel.

A bizarre convergence of Netanyahu political enemies has come together to try and cobble a majority in the 120 Member Knesset to form a new government and avoid a record 5th new election in the past two years.

The latest political maneuvering began immediately after Netanyahu opposition leader Yair Lapid and his main coalition partner, Naftali Bennett, announced that they had reached a deal.

It is a fragile arrangement that includes a shared power arrangement, with each getting to serve as Prime Minister.

This unprecedented patch quilt coalition consists of eight parties from across the political spectrum.

They have absolutely nothing in common with one another; except for their shared desire to take down Netanyahu, who has set a record 12 years in power.

The alliance includes an Arab faction — a first in Israeli politics.

In a sign that taking Netanyahu out of power will not be easy — this new so-called coalition was not able to unseat the parliament speaker, who is a Netanyahu ally.

The next few days will be critical. In the end, the fragile coalition may actually pull it off and seat new leadership.

If they do pull this political circus stunt off, I can’t see this coalition lasting for very long. The infighting will be inevitable, because their philosophical differences are so significant.

But, do not discount the masterful politician that is Benjamin Netanyahu and his ability to survive.

I also believe that this is a terrible time to unseat such a strong leader as Netanyahu during the current conflict with Palestine.