Before the new general closure imposed by Israel enters its second week after it lost control of Corona infection, according to the Institute for National Security Studies of Tel Aviv University, warnings are mounting about the consequences of the health crisis on the economic and social fields in the occupation state.

In the results of a survey published a few days ago, the institute confirmed that Israel has lost control over the spread of the Corona virus for several reasons, the most important of which is the loss of internal political stability and the failure of the Israelis to respond to the instructions of their government, explaining that Corona is a natural disaster, but the effects of its economic crisis and the strength of its negative effects largely stem from the way it is managed.

Loss of control and mistrust


The results of the poll showed the majority of the public's lack of confidence in the Israeli government, the political leadership and state institutions, which reflects the continuing protests for the third month and the demand for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down and overthrow his government due to "corruption, failure to manage the Corona crisis and the loss of control over the pandemic."

The most prominent results of the poll indicate that 74% of Israelis do not trust the Knesset, and 70% do not trust the Netanyahu government and cannot rely on it in the face of the Corona pandemic, as the trust crisis also includes various state institutions, as 63% do not trust finance officials, and 47% do not Health officials, 51% do not trust the police.

In addition, 60% of the Israeli public holds Netanyahu personally responsible for the failure to manage the Corona crisis and the loss of control, while 70% of the public accused various Israeli political and party leaders of failing to confront the pandemic.

Despite this, 61% of those surveyed believe that bringing about change in the government is through direct elections, 57% of them see protests as a catalyst for change, while 54% see the judiciary and the courts as a means of change.

Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev during a tour of Ben Gurion Airport before it is restarted (Israeli Press)

Trends and Prospects


The results of the survey indicate that the lack of confidence in the government and state institutions has a direct effect on the public's unwillingness to comply with the restrictions imposed on it and the closure measures that will continue in light of Jewish holidays until October 12, as this conclusion is consistent with the uncommon phenomenon of political protest In scope and duration.

According to the poll, which was based on the participation of 1,200 Israelis, the protest enjoys legitimacy not only in the left camp and the political map of the opposition forces and parties, but also enjoys legitimacy and support by the public who also belongs to the right camp, due to the great damage and economic losses mainly to large segments and sectors of The Israeli public.

The survey data conducted by the Institute for National Security Studies illustrates the depth of the social crisis and undermines social resilience in Israel, while at the same time indicating potential directions for a more successful response to the common crisis, with a focus on political and social aspects.

According to researchers Tzipi Yisrael and Moran Deitz, who oversaw the poll, a reading in the poll indicates that 33% of the right-wing and Netanyahu camp voters support the protests, and the results also show the different positions of right-wing and Likud voters regarding support and identification with Netanyahu, precisely at a sensitive time. In terms of its general condition.

Gantz meets with Haredi town mayors to curb the spread of Corona (Israeli Press)

Pandemic and elections


In a reading of the poll results, according to the two researchers, these data and results may push Netanyahu to work to fortify the existing political situation, not to go to early elections in light of the repercussions of the Corona pandemic, and to wait for the economic and social repercussions to recede to the decision on the elections.

On the other hand, Yisrael and Ditash say, "It seems that the problematic function of the general political conditions in Israel and the style of governance that characterizes the current crisis are well compatible with the phenomenon of political protest, which enjoys broad public legitimacy, as large sectors of the Israeli public believe in the possibility of changing the agenda in acceptable ways in a democratic state. ".

The two researchers concluded by saying, "It seems that the Corona crisis combined with the crisis of governance stability broke the self-image regarding economic and social resilience in Israel, and revealed the main obstacles to Israel's ability to deal with a severe and continuous civil crisis, as well as the large gap between the outer shell that is being beautified and presented to the public." And the severe barriers and scenes of the bureaucratic approach within the public systems of the state. "

Netanyahu took advantage of the fund’s decision in the elections last March, and imposed the first comprehensive closure that enabled him to form a government of rotation with Gantz, who was recommended by the majority of Knesset members, but he preferred to rotate with Netanyahu to postpone the scenario of heading for the fourth elections in the shadow of the Corona pandemic.

With the outbreak of the Corona virus in the country and the registration of nearly 200,000 infections, of which 52,000 are still active, and 1,260 deaths, Netanyahu succeeded in dismantling the alliances of the traditional right-wing camp represented by "Blue and White" and the settler alliance represented by the renewed religious Zionism "Yamina" and its leader Naftali Bennett, and ensuring the survival of The government coalition to overcome the governance crises and prosecute corruption files against him.

With the expansion of the protests against Netanyahu's corruption and the failure of his government to manage the Corona crisis, and the entry into force of the second closure coinciding with the Jewish holidays this September, Netanyahu has been presenting economic plans to defuse the protests and quell them ahead of the deliberations for Netanyahu's trial and hear the proof phase that will start in January. Next January, with a frequency of 3 sessions per week, in the presence of Netanyahu.

The Israeli Police Issues Violations of Violators of Closure (Israeli Press)

Crises and


protests, and the protest that came against the background of the indictments against the prime minister and his employment of the Corona crisis for his personal interests gains a general legitimacy, as it starts from opposite Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem and expands to reach the largest Israeli cities.

To contain the protests and in an effort to empty them of their content and vent them, Netanyahu initiated economic plans under the shadow of the closure and the restrictions of Corona, which caused the crippling of the economy and trade movement, and the registration of about one million of the workforce in the unemployment market, and the economic losses so far are estimated at about 40 billion dollars.

Netanyahu's plans include providing financial support and allocations to families, business interests, businessmen and independents, which have contributed to easing the protests, but without extinguishing them completely, while preserving the scenario of a fourth election in light of the instability of the Netanyahu government.

With the loss of control over the outbreak of the virus and the recording of a daily record rate of infections ranging between 4,000 and 5,000 injuries, the task of addressing the Corona crisis and cutting the chain of infection was entrusted to the IDF and the home front, and to prepare more army units to implement the closure instructions.

The Minister of Defense Gantz recommended establishing field hospitals due to the overcrowding of hospitals and the inability of some Corona departments to absorb more infected people, for fear of the collapse of the health system, and the formation of a special unit that includes about 600 soldiers from various units who will be active in preparing and monitoring epidemiological investigations of those infected with the virus.