Netanyahu's Failures Extend Beyond October 7, Author Argues

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite his extensive experience and political acumen, has failed in crucial areas including the cost of living and accountability for the October 7th attacks, according to author Yehuda Shroni. Shroni argues that even the best leader, let alone Netanyahu who faces criminal charges, should step down after 20 years in office.

Netanyahu's recent focus on the Iranian nuclear threat and a Palestinian state, issues he has addressed with contradictory stances, is seen as a political maneuver. Shroni contends that the most pressing issue for voters is the fundamental question of whether an individual facing criminal charges for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust is fit to lead a complex nation. The article highlights that while the Supreme Court ruled it permissible, the practical reality has proven otherwise, with Netanyahu's court appearances often managed for convenience.

Internationally, Netanyahu has become a liability, with the threat of an international arrest warrant from The Hague for war crimes looming. Shroni criticizes Netanyahu's marketing skills, suggesting he is adept at selling but ill-suited for the realities of governing Israel, which he likens to more than just a marketing campaign.

The rising cost of living is presented as a major concern, with price increases on essential goods, taxes, national insurance payments, VAT, and interest rates significantly impacting citizens' purchasing power. Despite positive economic indicators like export growth and a strong high-tech sector, the average salary of NIS 14,500 per month is insufficient for many. Housing prices and fuel costs have also risen, with the government failing to fulfill promises to lower them.

Shroni asserts that Netanyahu's priorities are personal survival, avoiding his trial, and covering up the failures of October 7th, with the cost of living being a low priority except for his own family. The author also criticizes the lack of a state inquiry commission into the October 7th failures, a promise Netanyahu made but has not fulfilled, suggesting that if he forms the next government, any investigation will be a mere formality.

Furthermore, the article points to a broader collapse of governance, citing issues like ongoing crime in the Negev, the perceived lack of security in Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria, and the international backlash against Israel due to settler riots. Failures in the Ministry of Transportation regarding pilot background checks and the prolonged absence of permanent directors in key government bodies like the National Insurance Institute and the Israel Land Authority are also highlighted as examples of poor governance.