Political troubles for Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after 11 years at the helm.

Over the past few weeks, he has been beleaguered by allegations of fraud and bribery, accusations he countered  by lashing out at the media, which he accused of peddling “fake news”, a term that seems to be gaining currency with certain leaders, and of conspiring with the left to topple his government.

At a recent rally in Tel Aviv attended by Likud loyalists and supporters, the Israeli prime minister accused the left and the media of engaging in a witch hunt — against him and his wife Sara — by accusing them of corruption.

If receiving expensive gifts from billionaire friends — tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of gifts from Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and from Australian casino mogul James Packer, and then taking action on their behalf, and striking an illicit deal with a newspaper publisher, to get more favourable coverage, is not corruption, one wonders what is.

Netanyahu could be facing multiple police investigations that might lead to his indictment, but he will not be legally required to resign. 

The only pressure to do so could come from politicians and the public.

During his long rule, he brought only misery and prolonged tensions to his people and the Palestinians.

His track record is full of repeated attempts to sabotage every sincere effort to achieve peace with the Palestinians and usher in a new era with the Arab and Muslim worlds.

This could be a time for change in Israel. The Israeli premier is 67 and has been in office for much too long.

A change of leadership in Israel should happen for the sake of peace, both for Israelis and for the Palestinians.

Netanyahu has tried every political trick in the book to stay in power, convincing his people that he is the right leader for their country and that he, and he alone, can bring them peace and prosperity.

He has not, and has no intention to even try.

One wishes to believe that a change of guard in Israel might help the peace process.

The events in Israel will be followed intently, no doubt.