Israeli Right-Wing Parties Risk Splitting Votes, Aiding Left-Wing Victory

Rabbi Pinchas Prozenzanky draws a parallel between the biblical figure Jeroboam ben Nebat and the current Israeli political landscape, warning that the struggle for the top position could fragment the right-wing bloc, waste votes, and lead to the opposition's victory. Jeroboam, who seceded from the Kingdom of Judah to become the first king of the Kingdom of Israel, is presented as a cautionary tale. Despite his flaws, including promoting idolatry, a Talmudic passage depicts God urging Jeroboam to repent, offering him a place in paradise alongside David. Jeroboam refused, famously asking, "Who is first?" If it wasn't him, he declared, he wanted no part. This question, "Who is first?" is identified as a destructive force in Jewish organizational life and, currently, in Israeli politics, particularly with the proliferation of right-wing parties vying for the same voters.

Numerous new right-wing parties, led by figures such as Ofer Winter, Avi Maoz, Moshe Feiglin, Sharen Haskel, and others, are emerging. These parties, often indistinguishable from established ones like Likud, Religious Zionism, and Otzma Yehudit, all pledge support for a right-wing coalition. The primary driver for their formation appears to be the ambition of individual leaders. Haskel's unsuccessful attempt to unite these factions highlights the challenge posed by ego and the singular desire to be "first."

The article emphasizes the mathematical reality of Israeli elections: the 3.25% electoral threshold. It is highly improbable that most of these new parties will surpass this threshold, potentially leading to tens or hundreds of thousands of votes being lost. This fragmentation could inadvertently empower a left-wing government, mirroring the outcome of the 1992 elections when the breakup of the right-wing Tehiya party resulted in a Labor victory and the Oslo Accords.

While acknowledging the presence of worthy candidates within these new parties, the author stresses that their current path, driven by the "if I can't be first, I don't want to unite" mentality, is a recipe for defeat. The article contrasts this with the humility of King David, who is considered the eternal king of Israel. It urges leaders to overcome their egos and unite, warning that failure to do so risks repeating past mistakes and allowing the left to undermine the concept of a Jewish state.