Changes in Israeli

Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomes activists at the Lidu, Tel Aviv, on March 18, 2015 before each, especially extraordinary elections, Israel covers a passionate expectation of changes. Preliminary polls warm these expectations, newspapers, radio and television beat records for the frequency of use of the word “coup” per unit of information. The voltage reaches the apogei to midnight (polling stations are closed at 11 pm). So on March 17, 2015, the hall, where that evening he conducted by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra the Great Zubin Meta, began to empty by the end of the second act. When Jose, which was exhausted with jealousy and passion, pierced the dagger into the traitor Carmen, a arrogant stall (tickets of 100 and above dollars apiece) rushed to the exits, hastily applauding on the go. There, outside the doors, perhaps a new era began.

But the coup never happened, even though it was hard to believe it-because all the ec-regions promised them as convincingly as Carmen's eternal love Jose in the first act.

There were not so many difficulties in choosing in the history of Israel in general. After the formation of the state, there were left -wing power, and only in May 1977, after 29 years in the opposition, the election won the Right Party "Likud", at the head of which was the elegant Polish gentleman, a former prisoner of concentration camp near Pechora, Menacha Begin.

In Israel, it is difficult to be right. To be right means to preach capitalism in domestic politics and intransigence to neighbors - in foreign policy. Being left is even more difficult. To be left is to strive to reduce prices, increase salaries, universal equality before the law, civil marriages and the world, if not all over the world, then at least in one, individual country in the Middle East.

Right Prime Minister Ariel Sharon led the settlements and troops from the Gaza sector. "This will lead to missile shelling of Tel Aviv!" - shouted to him on the right. And they were right. Left Prime Minister Ehud Barak withdrew troops from Southern Lebanon. "This will lead to Haifa missile shelling!" - shouted to him on the right. And they were right.

Both the right and left, especially on the eve of the elections, are needed slogans - they gather people under banners. When the elections end and banners fall, work begins. Work in the country where part of the population lives in the 15th century (according to Muslim chronology), the other in the 58th century (according to the Jewish calendar), and the third in the 21st century, and many are forced to move from one measurement to another and back several times during the day. Where in families children do not always speak the language of parents and grandfathers. Where there are three opinions on two Jews and 26 parties for 7 million people, including infants. Work means that you need to do not quite what was written on the slogan. Sometimes even not at all.

"But you promised!" - The people shouts to any of his government. "But you promised!" - Jose Carmen prayed ...

Favorite, but familiar “just not Bibi!”, “Government without Lieberman!” - The left position was designated on the eve of extraordinary elections: the authorities that did not change three cadents in a row, of course, is guilty in many sins. What I do not want is clear to everyone. And then the people thought about what they want.

The left promised a decrease in prices, an increase in salaries, universal equality before the law, civil marriages and long negotiations, which will eventually lead to peace in exchange in the territory. They promised something that is not yet.

The right ones promised what is already there. What they are used to over the last three cadences. It was not very good, one might even say, almost bad. But will it be better? Will the smart, subtle and intelligent Yitzhak Duke, chairman of the Center Faction “Zionist Camp”, cope with the fact that the experienced Netanyahu wolf is not able to such a shameful, so familiar, almost native?

Stars of hope and how one and a half years ago the intelligent government wanted in power! The new party “Esh Atid” (“There is a Future”), created by the writer, playwright and talented journalist Yair Lapid, received 19 mandates. Netanyahu allocated him a portfolio of the Minister of Finance. And Lapida went to the slaughter, not being either a financier or an economist, having no experience either in politics or in the economy. Charismatic, youthful, charming - ah, as he won against the backdrop of Netanyahu, as he sincerely believed in his promises, how passionately he fought to cancel the VAT on the purchase of his first housing ... He fought to the last, stood to death where he could simply agree on a cup of coffee, avoiding the government crisis. He went to Va-Bank, hoping to win. And he lost with a crushing score. In the 2015 extraordinary elections, he lost 8 mandates, remaining with the 11th instead of 19.

How sad this plot is already familiar ... In 2003, Lapid’s father, the intelligent and charismatic journalist Tommy Lapid headed the Shinui party (“Changes”), announcing a sharp anticleric and reasonably right program, won 15 mandates in the elections and entered the government of Ariel Sharon. In the early elections of 2009, this party no longer participated. While Yair Lapid goes to the opposition.

Meanwhile, a new star of hope is already rising on the horizon: shortly before the election, a new party called “Kulana” (“All”) under the guidance of a relatively young, relatively charming and very ambitious Moshe Kahlon was formed. The main goals of his party, he proclaimed the struggle against social inequality, high cost of life and bureaucracy. Kulan received 10 mandates. It is expected that Netanyahu will take her to the coalition and Moshe Kahlon will be given a briefcase of the Minister of Finance ...

As they say now in Israel, "if we live, we will see."

Photo: Amir Cohen/Reuters