By Ira Sharkansky, PhD
JERUSALEM — Two recent polls show a Likud coalition with 62 seats in the Knesset, or only 60 seats. And only two days earlier two polls showed the Likud coalition with only 59 seats.
On the issue of Israel’s maritime border with Lebanon, Bibi expresses his opposition. Saying that Israel gave up on all the points. However, Israeli security personnel are widely supportive of the agreement.
And on the uptick of security issues around the West Bank and Jerusalem, Bibi is citing Lapid for his weakness.
So, as we move closer to the November 1 election, we can guess that the security issue will work in Bibi’s favor, but perhaps not the maritime border.
The security issue reflects, in part, the weakness of the Palestinian government. It’s headed by an 86-year-old, seemingly weak. And the stone throwers are largely young people, some in the 12-13 year-old range. We’ve heard one young man, speaking to an Israeli journalist, calling for the death of the Jews. With a smile on his face.
Was he serious, or playing to the same sentiments that recruited 12- and 13-year-old kids to join the stone throwers?
Meanwhile Israel security forces are active. They’ve arrested lots of Palestinians and East Jerusalemites, and some Jews who joined the fray by throwing stones against Palestinian targets.
There have been some deaths of Jews, and more of Arabs. And many Arabs have been taken into custody. There’ll be trials, and jail time. And for some life sentences.
Latest news is of a calming in the area of Jerusalem, but still there is activity in the West Bank areas of Jenin and Nablus..
Things may calm down in the next two weeks, to where they’ve been more or less for a long time, with frequent attacks against Jews, and Jews attacking Arabs.
Or maybe not.
Ira Sharkansky, PhD, is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com