Israel Faces Existential Choice in Upcoming Elections, Warns Article

An opinion piece argues that the upcoming Knesset elections present a critical juncture for Israel, framing the choice as one between the nation's existence and its destruction. The author contends that another term for the current government would lead to Israel's demise, citing a decline in the country's standing across multiple metrics since the government took office. This assessment, the article states, is based on experience gained over the past four years, not just a pessimistic outlook.

The article presents several key data points to support its claims. It highlights a significant drop in per capita GDP from $55,000 in late 2022 to $42,600 by the end of 2025, falling from 129% to 96% of the OECD average. Immigration figures also show a sharp decline, with only 21,900 new immigrants in the past year compared to 76,600 in 2022, while emigration rose significantly. Furthermore, the national budget shifted from a surplus of 9.8 billion shekels in late 2022 to a deficit of 4.7% of GDP by the end of 2025. The article also points to a rise in murder rates and a decline in per capita health spending relative to the OECD average.

The author criticizes the government's impact on education, stating that Israel dropped in international PISA rankings for math, reading, and science between 2022 and 2025. The piece attributes this decline, along with an increase in students identified as 'weak' and a decrease in 'outstanding' students, to the government's policies, particularly its handling of the war and its perceived encouragement of ignorance in the Haredi sector.

On the international front, the article warns of imminent sanctions stemming from the government's actions and failures, which have allegedly led to a historic low in Israel's global standing and a surge in anti-Semitic incidents. It suggests that Israel could face severe international isolation, potentially becoming like South Africa or North Korea, and emphasizes the nation's dependence on foreign trade and military imports.

The piece also addresses the threat to Israeli democracy, accusing the current government of undermining the judiciary, free press, and free speech. It argues that the government's actions, including potential annexation of the West Bank, could lead to Israel becoming either non-Jewish or non-democratic, describing the current government as the greatest threat to Israeli democracy ever.

In conclusion, the article reiterates the urgency of change, comparing the situation to the Roman senator Cato's insistence that Carthage must be destroyed. It calls for the current government to fall, asserting that four more years would leave nothing to repair, and that Israel cannot survive as an 'Iran internally and North Korea externally.' The author urges citizens to vote to save their homes and future.