One week before the unconditional surrender of Gaza to the moslems, Binyamin Netanyahu has resigned as Sharon's Finance Minister in protest. At this late stage, though, what is the significance of his quiting the government?
Well, as far as blocking the expulsion from happening, probably very little if anything. Bibi would have made a much bigger impact had he resigned back in May when the final vote was being made to approve the Jewish expulsion, yet he at that time voted in favor of the plan rather than risk being expelled from Sharon's cabinet.
Like he did before with Oslo, Bibi verbally attacked the Expulsion but, ultimately, advanced it anyway for political expedience. Bibi is first and formost a politician, remember, and his ideology blows back and forth with the wind according to the prevailing popular momentum.
When the expulsion was more popular he advanced it. Today, the plan is growing increasingly unpopular, so Bibi jumps on the protest wave and claims his heart was with the nationalist camp all along. He's very much like Bill Clinton in that he redefines himself with triangulation and pragmatism rather than leading by principled ideals.
Therefore, his resignation was far more a reflection of how far the anti-expulsion movement has grown than it is an example of Bibi having some kind of epiphany of personal conviction or conscience. However, that makes it all the more significant to opponents of the expulsion, as Bibi now feels it is stronger for him politically to resign, and since Bibi is truly a barometer of public opinion it's safe to assume the aspiring former Prime Minister believes he'll have a better shot of regaining power opposing the very plan he voted for just 3 months ago.
In terms of stopping the plan, well his resignation can't hurt, and he should be commended for taking this stand against it even if he did have an ulterior motive. Sharon is so entrenched with the Left, though, that even if all the Likud nationalists resign Sharon will still survive with a coalition of Labor, Meretz and the Arabs. If Labor quits after the expulsion, expect the anti-religious Shinnui Party to replace them in the coalition, though the risk for Sharon is if Shinnui doesn't bail him out and they go to early elections.
In that case, Bibi will probably oust Sharon within Likud on the wings of this hat tip to the nationalist camp, and ascend to the Prime Minister's office once again as a result. Meanwhile, over 9,000 Jews will be living in DP camps as the moslems of Judenrein Gaza take target practice at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. In addition, the world will be calling on Israel to retreat back entirely to the pre-1967 borders and evict the Jews of Judea and Samaria.
It's kind of like getting kissed by your ex-girlfriend after she's cheated on you: Thanks Bibi, but how could you have done us so wrong before? We won't forget this easily, so you'll need to continue repenting for your previous infadelities before you'll earn our trust again.
But, still, it was a nice gesture, nonetheless, and we are glad you came around late instead of never, Bibi.
-MZ
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4 comments:
Natenyahu might be an opportunist but it is still positive that he decided to withdraw. I say it can only help the Jews in Gaza and it can only weaken Sharon. Too little too late? Maybe, maybe not.
-GG
I agree, GG. The problem with Bibi is he spends to much time worrying about his career instead of doing what he knows to be right. Hopefully the two will come together before it really is too late.
-MZ
Megapotamus said: "I have long thought that the only resolution will come when Israel gives the Pals the nation they claim to want."
The claim they want is all of Israel and for the Jews to be drowned in the sea. I can't go with that, but I do have the solution for you at The Right Road to Peace
-MZ
They want all of Israel as the method of drowning Jews in the sea. If there were no Jews on that land, they wouldn't give one one-billionth of a rat's ass about it.
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