October 27: The Most Important Date in Israeli History?
On October 27, Israelis will go to the polls for an election that may be the most consequential in their history. Ironically, this will be the first time in decades that a Knesset completes a full four-year term.
The heart of the issues lies not only domestically, security being the most prominent, but, also, Israel and its relationship to the world.
The choices run the gamut, from the present Benjamin Natanyahu’s Likud bloc to Gadi Eisenkot’s center orientated Yahar!—to Smotrich’s far-right settlement expansionist Religious Zionism party.
Israel stands at a political and world relations crossroad. No matter what the party, the issue of Gaza will certainly take front and center.
The chorus of anti-Israel politicians, pundits and performers have not moved off the dime of screaming “Genocide!” every time Gaza is mentioned. Whether any of these players have any credibility is besides the point. The real question becomes: Will Israel’s next PM take this issue head-on, and perhaps more importantly, how they will deal with the issue.
The recent attempted hijacking of the Flydubai plane with its intention of crashing into Ben Gurion airport has also amplified the need for tighter airline security. Since Israel has perhaps the best airline security in the world, the stress level of kicking it up a notch, and possible copycat events, simply adds to an already volatile political arena.
Every attempt to increase security, including kinetic military activity, is greeted by a sound wave of boos from the world community. Israel is portrayed as a murderous rogue state running amok in the Middle East.
But whomever is elected to lead next will still have to deal with some rather eyebrow raising statements that may play well domestically but has caused the country to be seen as a political and moral pariah.
Consider the following:
“Some Palestinians are not worthy of life… they are not even people.”-Ben Gvir
“We are fighting human animals and are acting accordingly.”-Yoav Gallant
“You must remember what Amalek has done to you.”-Netanyahu
The world looks at these statements aghast. Perhaps they are taken out of context. More accurately, the loudest critics may have no idea of what existential threats Israel faces every day; how Israelis have to look over their shoulder constantly, or the shock of adrenaline that flows through their bodies when a siren goes off.
Regardless, the next leader must make every effort to unite the country without the fire of negative rhetoric.
Then there are the other major internal struggles.
Israel’s national debt has reached over 1.4 trillion shekels. This is an increase from 1.07 trillion before the October 7 attack. This ceiling deficit may be much too high to stabilize the debt.
Then there is the prospect of civil war.
Gaza and regional wars have stretched the IDF thin. Attempts to conscript Haredi’s have not gone well and have resulted in vigorous riots against any of those attempts. Pundits from all sides of the aisle have warned that such societal tremors could lead to the government falling—completely.
There is also the increased settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem where Palestinians, and those who may be trying to help them, are under harassment and even physical attacks. The settlers have even turned on the IDF and security forces, increasing an atmosphere of destabilization.
Then there is the “Big One”: was October 7 a major security breakdown or an intentional policy to supply the excuse to raze Gaza? This is a question that will peck at the very soul of the country if it is not openly discussed.
The election brings up the urgent question as to how the various political parties and their candidates will face, or not face, these issues.
Accept the high debt as it is, or balance the economy?
Preserve Haredi exemptions or continue to play for universal conscription?
Leave the issue of what happened on October 7 and move on, or have a full, independent commission look into it?
Indeed, October 27 may bring a tectonic shift in Israeli policy and culture—or it may signal a dead end with nowhere to turn.
That is the choice facing every Israeli.
A national soul-searching and some careful decision makings are in order.
The country’s future depends on it.
Joseph M Bianchi is an independent journalist whose works have appeared in national and international publications. He has written on the rise of the “new anti-Semitism” as well as Israeli politics and Middle Eastern events. He is based in Greenville, SC.