Netanyahu's 19 Years as Premier Marked by Media Silence
Translated & summarized from Shakuf by baba
Benjamin Netanyahu's 19 cumulative years as Israel's prime minister passed with little media attention, despite his current bid for re-election. The article criticizes the Israeli press for failing to mark the milestone and initiate public discourse on long-term leadership.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu reached 19 cumulative years as Israel's prime minister.
- Israeli media largely ignored this significant historical milestone.
- The author criticizes the press for failing to set the agenda.
- Opposition leaders also remained silent on the issue of term limits.
- The lack of coverage hinders discussion on long-term political dominance.
Benjamin Netanyahu marked 19 cumulative years as Israel's prime minister on Tuesday, a milestone that went largely unacknowledged by the Israeli press. This period spans his initial term from 1996-1999, a continuous 12-year stretch from 2009-2021, and his current term since December 2022. The article laments that no Israeli newspaper mentioned this significant historical marker, arguing that journalism's role is to provide context and perspective on such events, acting as "the first draft of history."
The author suggests that the lack of coverage is particularly striking given that Netanyahu is currently seeking another term in office, which would bring his total to 23 years, making him the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's history. The article contrasts this with July 2019, when Netanyahu surpassed David Ben-Gurion as the longest-serving premier, an event that garnered extensive media attention with analyses and comparisons.
It posits that the media's failure to cover the 19-year mark reflects a shift from reporting on significant events to merely covering ongoing processes, and a loss of the ability to set the public agenda. The article also notes that neither Netanyahu nor opposition leaders highlighted the anniversary, despite the opposition's recent "Principles Document" advocating for term limits for prime ministers, a law they previously failed to pass.
The piece criticizes the media for acting as a conduit for politicians' agendas rather than an independent force for public discourse. It argues that covering this milestone would have naturally led to discussions about the implications of a single individual dominating Israeli politics for so long, the legal framework allowing for repeated terms, and the potential impact on the political system, especially with Netanyahu facing criminal charges while his government pursues judicial reforms.
Finally, the article questions whether opposition parties, who have pledged to limit prime ministerial terms, will attempt to pass such legislation before the current Knesset disbands if Netanyahu loses the upcoming election. The author concludes that the media's failure to ask these critical questions on such a significant anniversary is the most concerning aspect, indicating a loss of its ability to determine what is important and a reliance on external cues.
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