Ex-Deputy Minister Calls for Unity Government, Warns of Right-Wing Landslide

Following the recent election results and the ensuing political deadlock, former Deputy Minister Avir Kara has called for the establishment of a national unity government. Kara argued that the election outcome, with 80% voter turnout, clearly indicates that no single bloc has won, and the public desires a functional government. He proposed a partnership government where each side brings 33 Knesset members, emphasizing common ground on economic issues, security, Arab crime, and conscription.

Kara warned against relying on Arab parties in the next government, calling it a violation of election promises that would only increase division. He predicted that such a move would lead to new elections, resulting in a right-wing government with 85 mandates. He stated that all other options pose an ""disaster"" for Israel and that only a national partnership government can address the country's problems, drawing a parallel to the 1984 unity government where Shamir and Peres also had disagreements.

Haaretz correspondent Michael Hauser Tov disagreed with Kara's assessment, asserting that it ""should not distort the will of the voters."" He argued that high turnout signifies a desire for a government, not necessarily unity in Kara's proposed form. Hauser Tov dismissed Kara's vision as ""romantic,"" stating that the painful reality is that putting aside deep-seated disagreements is not feasible after four difficult years.

Hauser Tov recalled the unity government formed with Netanyahu during the COVID-19 crisis, highlighting its ineffectiveness due to internal disputes, specifically mentioning Netanyahu's refusal to share agenda-setting power with Benny Gantz. He concluded that while unity is ""sexy"" and easy to promote, it lacks substance and would likely result in a ""national paralysis government,"" a scenario he believes Israel has already experienced.