Post-Election Israel Needs Compromise for Stable Government

Following the recent elections, no political bloc in Israel can afford to ignore the other, as the path to a stable government requires acknowledging public support for Benjamin Netanyahu, concessions from the right and center, and agreements on Haredi conscription and judicial reform. The author, an expert strategic advisor on crisis management, argues that national responsibility necessitates replacing boycotts with partnership.

The election results indicate that a significant portion of the public supports Netanyahu and his party, a fact that any aspiring leader must acknowledge. However, leadership also entails the ability to unite, listen, and build trust. The author emphasizes that the ballot box does not grant ownership of the country but demands respect for the decisions of fellow citizens, forming a basis for unity not in uniformity of opinion but in recognizing that disagreements occur within a single national home.

Realpolitik demands working with the existing reality; attempting to erase an entire segment of the population or ignore the need for compromise could lead Israel to a deadlock. The immediate challenge lies in the Knesset, where a stable, Zionist government capable of governing, built on partnership among Zionist parties, is needed. Such a coalition could be formed without reliance on Arab parties, fostering cooperation and agreement among Jewish public representatives. This is not a call for animosity towards Arab citizens, whose rights are not in question, but a political choice for a government based on shared Zionist consensus, capable of taking full responsibility for security and national decisions.

Achieving this requires compromise from all sides. Right-wing parties must understand that compromise is not betrayal but a means to implement values long-term. Center parties must recognize that they cannot demand partnership while simultaneously disqualifying a large segment of the public and its leader. Those seeking to join the government must consider their partners' needs. A coalition is a pact of responsibility, not merely a collection of victors.

Compromise is also essential on the issue of Haredi conscription. While equality in burden-sharing is a genuine need, especially given the strain on reservists and their families, the deep-rooted importance of Torah study and Jewish tradition must be respected. The Knesset should set clear recruitment targets, expand military and civilian service options, and create mechanisms for broader participation. Dialogue is possible, but endless postponement is not. A mutually agreed-upon arrangement, even if imperfect, is preferable to continued strife.

Similarly, judicial reform requires broad consensus for any fundamental changes to the system. Strengthening the balance between branches of government and rectifying deficiencies are possible, but deep alterations to the rules of the game must be consensual. Abandoning a unilateral move does not signify weakness, nor does agreeing to measured change mean abandoning principles. The responsibility is to ensure an independent judiciary alongside a government and Knesset capable of fulfilling the voters' will. Compromise here, too, reflects self-confidence and commitment to the state.

Beyond the Knesset, national unity is paramount. Families of service members, residents of the north and south, farmers, businesspeople, public employees, religious and secular citizens all bear burdens differently. Belonging to Israel should not be conditional on voting for a specific party. Fierce debate over the government, the judiciary, and the distribution of burdens is acceptable, but it should not devolve into contempt, boycotts, or delegitimization. Leaders must lower the temperature, as words spoken in the Knesset and on television reach the streets.

Facing threats from Iran and other fronts, Israel needs to be strong, determined, and united. Any military operation must aim to remove threats and protect citizens responsibly. National security requires a strong military, prudent leadership, and a home front that believes in shared destiny. It is contradictory to ask the public to stand united against enemies while simultaneously deepening internal suspicion. Zionism has historically united diverse people around the common mission of building and securing a Jewish state. This spirit of responsibility should guide current efforts, translating into brave compromises among Zionist parties for a stable government not dependent on Arab parties, and ensuring a fair budget and attentive public service. Unity should be a way of governance, fostering mutual respect, listening, and preventing national disagreements from becoming internal wars. Agreement on all matters is not necessary to defend the homeland together.