Between the Lines – Until the Government is Formed, and Thereafter

The most important thing I did this week was forwarding The London Initiative petition to over 130 Jews in the Diaspora, and other Israelis asking them to forward to their Jewish connections abroad. The petition, addressed to the four leaders of the Zionist parties in the Bloc for Change and the leaders of the two Arab parties, calls upon them to form a coalition. I sent it to people I believe inclined to agree and to a handful of people who might agree with the content but wouldn’t sign in deference to their influential public image resting on their withholding political opinions. Some who received the petition from me might believe it inappropriate as Diaspora Jews to attempt to influence Israeli politics.

Throughout the world, people vocally express opinions on situations in other countries, but maybe such a petition is where they draw the line. This week, MK Boaron (Likud – not elected to the next Knesset) spoke on the radio about the government of Israel governing the Jewish people. This complemented his dismissal of Arab citizens of Israel and their right to representation in the government. Under the influence of my political science education, it remains clear to me that the State of Israel belongs to its citizens. The Jewish people in the Diaspora may have an attachment of one kind or another, welcome to express that as they like and to the degree, they find appropriate. I suspect that wherever they live, it would not serve their best interests to be legally subject to the government of Israel. Nor does that serve Israeli citizens’ interests, Jews or Arabs (though the government should address its relations with Diaspora Jews). If you are a Jew in the Diaspora, Boaron’s remarks should urge you to sign the petition without further reservation.

In the pilgrimage of our political parties to the home of the President of Israel to recommend who should be nominated to form the coalition, President Herzog is asking questions. In politics, like politics, take what you can at face value, and read what you must between the lines. If nearsightedness blurs that space between the lines, enlarge it.

MK Mansour Abbas reminded President Herzog that he is a bridge. Bridges, we know, serve the people of Israel – Arabs and Jews. Palestinian citizens of the State of Israel can facilitate communications with Arab leaders abroad, or in the West Bank and Gaza. Abbas was pressed by another person in the room regarding his abstention from condemning Hamas. Unhesitating, calm, he responded, requesting, in just so many words, to allow him to take care of his family. Arab parties want to promote the interests of their families in Israel. That’s in Israel’s best interests in every way that comes to mind. But taking care of his family bleeds into the spaces between the lines: If he explicitly condemns Hamas, it could have repercussions for family members in Gaza. And he is not alone. Jews should understand.

The current government continues filling the spaces between the lines with hate and racism, planning to obstruct entry to the Knesset next week when MKs-elect will be sworn in, and the following week when the bloc for change plans to replace the Likud Speaker of the Knesset.

Until a government is formed, we’ll observe the real elections. We only vote for a party in which we put our faith for responsibly reneging on pre-election promises when they negotiate a coalition, electing a government to represent our greater interests.

The blue tsunami in the US restores my faith in people and processes, despite it posing uncertainties for Israel-US relations. A new government in Israel should revoke Jewish settler invasions claiming Palestinian land in the West Bank and find the path to building new relations with the US. Meanwhile, will the US attack Iran before January?

A friend asked the semi-rhetorical “How are you?” when I called the other day. My response, “I’ll let you know after our government is formed.”

Harriet Gimpel

November 5, 2026