Legislative in Israel: “King Bibi” vacillates but resists

Text by: Guilhem Delteil Follow

For the third time in a year, the Israelis are due to renew their parliament this Monday, March 2. As in previous elections, the personality of Benjamin Netanyahu was at the heart of the campaign.

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From our correspondent in Jerusalem,

Despite the presence of four ministers, only around 250 people attended the meeting of Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday February 16 in Jerusalem. In the third legislative campaign in less than a year, the meetings often have the appearance of neighborhood meetings. But if the supporters are less likely to travel, the enthusiasm of those who come is intact. That evening, as every time he goes on stage, Benyamin Netanyahu is welcomed by voters chanting in unison his diminutive: Bibi. "Bibi, we love you," even launched a man in the audience.

Benyamin Netanyahu is the longest serving Prime Minister in the history of Israel. After a first term between 1996 and 1999, he was re-elected in 2009 and has led the government for eleven years. But his longevity has not tarnished his popularity too much: he remains the preferred political leader of the Israelis. According to a poll published Friday by the daily Maariv, 45% of Israelis consider him the most capable of leading the country, against 36% for his main rival, Benny Gantz.

" The Messiah will come "

In Dimona, a city located in the Negev desert between the Dead Sea and the city of Beersheva, Benyamin Netanyahu obtained 55% of the votes in the elections last September. Dimona is one of these so-called “periphery” cities in Israel: isolated, far from the urban centers of the coast and of Jerusalem, its population has long felt forgotten by Israeli leaders. But Benjamin Netanyahu, he knew how to speak to these voters. The head of government is often nicknamed "King Bibi" by his supporters. But for the manager of the fishmonger in downtown Dimona, his role is even prophetic: "If Bibi is elected, then the Messiah will come !" Without Bibi, we have no country. We're going straight into the afterlife, ”he says.

In a lotto cafe, three men are seated. And when the name of Benyamin Netanyahu is mentioned, they launch themselves into a bid for praise. " He's one of the best leaders in the world ", judge one when another qualifies him " Good politician ". " He's a genius, " concludes the third. At a nearby table, Yafa drinks his coffee while smoking a cigarette. She too would like to support the outgoing Prime Minister. " Anyone else would be a disaster, " said the volunteer in a charity.

In this downtown Dimona lotto cafe, the customers are all loyal supporters of Benjamin Netanyahu, who is perceived as "one of the best leaders in the world" or even "a genius". RFI / Guilhem Delteil

Non-existent business

In Dimona, a majority of voters consider Benyamin Netanyahu's results for the city positive, ensuring that, since his election, the local economy is doing better. But his popularity is also based on his experience and diplomatic skill. Benyamin Netanyahu is seen as defending the interests of Israel on the international scene: the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United States or the withdrawal of Washington from the Iranian nuclear agreement are seen as successes.

His ability to be received at the White House , the Kremlin or Downing Street continues to impress his supporters. " I I can speak to presidents all over the world, " notes admiring Eyal, one of the clients of the cafe-loto who works in the security sector. " Benny Gantz, he is good at being a seller of falafels (fried chickpea dumplings, the most common dish in Israeli 'street food', editor's note) ", he continues, sarcastically, about the main rival of his champion.

For these convinced voters, court cases targeting the head of government count little. Many adhere to the line of defense of Benjamin Netanyahu, assuring that these files of corruption, fraud and breach of trust are fabricated. " All judges are leftists ", assists the manager of the fish shop in downtown Dimona. " When you entered, I offered you a drink, it was courtesy. People did the same with Netanyahu. Putin and Trump have boxes of money. Netanyahu, what did he get ? Cigars, wine and bread ? "

Battle for democracy

On the other side of the political spectrum, business was on the contrary at the heart of the campaign. Bleu-Blanc, the main opposition party, fought to prevent Benyamin Netanyahu from obtaining immunity from the Knesset, the Parliament. She insists that if re-elected, Benyamin Netanyahu will be Prime Minister " part-time ", since he will have to devote part of his time to his defense. The trial opening date was set for March 17 , two weeks after the elections.

For Yair Lapid, number of the Blue-White list, "the very principle of Israeli democracy is threatened". RFI / Guilhem Delteil

Denouncing the attacks of Benyamin Netanyahu against the judicial institution, Bleu-Blanc also dramatized the stakes of this ballot, not making a battle against a man, but for the maintenance of a democracy. " If we do not win these elections, the very principle of Israeli democracy is threatened ", judge Yair Lapid, number two of this centrist coalition. " We must remember that the pillars of democracy - the courts, the Supreme Court, the military and the police - are not only what protects us, but they are also institutions that we must protect in order to maintain our fashion of life. "

Allied loyalty

But if he is attacked by the opposition, his party remains loyal to him. Benyamin Netanyahu won with more than 70% of the votes the primaries organized at Likoud at the end of December. He had only one candidate in front of him: most of the contenders for his succession do not want to run against him. " When he decides to resign and retire, then I will be a candidate for his succession and I will win the campaign to lead Likud. But it is his decision and I support him, "said former Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat to the RFI during the primaries.

Benyamin Netanyahu's vulnerability is mainly due to the need to form a coalition to obtain a majority in Parliament. The outgoing Prime Minister made his current government partners sign a promise to support him. But “ it is not signed before a notary, ” moderates Ilan Greilsammer, professor of political science at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv and at the University College of Ashkelon. “ The two ultra-Orthodox parties, what interests them is who can offer them the most money for their community, their schools. For now, it suits them to be with Netanyahu. But they are a weak link in his coalition ”. Their commitment alongside Benyamin Netanyahu may not survive the elections, he said, recalling that these parties have already allied with left-wing governments.

Bleu-Blanc has already tried to approach ultra-Orthodox formations. Without success for the moment: to obtain their support, the coalition of Benny Gantz would have to make important concessions. In particular, it promises to develop activity during Shabbat, a weekly day of rest in the Jewish religion, to establish a civil marriage or to open up management for others to homosexual couples. So many measures rejected by ultra-Orthodox parties. These differences allowed Benyamin Netanyahu to count on the support of those he calls his " natural allies ". "King Bibi" has not yet been released.

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