Tel Aviv Diary December 9, 2022
Herzog Gives Netanyahu 10 more Days to Form Far Right Government, Clashes on the West Bank, Israeli Firms Raise Money and a Restaurant Review
POLITICS
Today, President Herzog extended Prime Minister-elect Netanyahu’s allotted time to form his new government by 10 days. Netanyahu asked for 14 days (which is the maximum amount allowed by law). In his letter of extension, Herzog explicitly requested that Netanyahu keep to his promise when he received the mandate — meaning, that he pledged to form a government that would work for the interest of all Israelis, and maintain Israel’s relationship with the Jewish people worldwide.
Netanyahu’s request was not unexpected. The former/PM-elect has repeatedly requested extensions to lock in his coalition following previous election cycles, as well. Netanyahu will now be under a time constraint to accomplish everything he needs to finalize his government. In order to allow for the stipulations with Shas in the coalition agreement, the Knesset must first pass changes to Israel’s basic law, in order to permit Deri to become a minister again (in light of his promise to the court he would leave public life, in the aftermath of his plea agreement for tax evasion). In addition, new coalition members are expected to pass a Supreme Court “override clause,” as the High Court is most likely to nix Deri’s ministerial appointment.
This has been a week of watching and waiting for Israel’s next government to coalesce. The Likud has signed agreements with all of its coalition partners, settling which ministries each will receive. Not much has changed since last week. The major development has been the publication of some of the agreements. The agreement with Smotritch calls for the Civil Authority in the West Bank to be transferred to his control. This concession to Smotritch, combined with the arrangement reached with Ben-Gvir’s Party to transfer the arm of the police force in the West Bank to his control, as Minister of National Security will place a significant part of the administration of the West Bank into the hands of settlers who believe in the Jewish right to control the area. As small consolation to the majority who voiced concern, Netanyahu will retain veto power over the decisions Smotrich makes, in theory.
Many Israelis have been alarmed by statements made by several of the new ministers. Incoming Finance Minister Betzalel Smotritch stated in the Ultra Orthodox Press, “They tried capitalism. They tried a Socialist approach. What they haven't try is called, ‘If you obey the commandments’. If we implement the Torah, we will have economic, prosperity, and great blessing. That is my economic plan.”
The incoming Housing Minister, Yitzchak Goldknopf from United Torah Judaism, appeared at economic conference this week, and when asked about his plans to mitigate the decades long housing crisis, Goldknopf stated, “What housing crisis? I don't know there's a housing crisis in Israel.” [It should be noted the Goldknopf possesses major real estate holdings.]
On a more serious and disturbing note, members of the new government seem intent on changing the Law of Return. They are obsessed with the fact that some new immigrants are not considered Jewish according to Halacha, and that the Law of Return grants anyone who has one Jewish grandparent the right to Israeli citizenship — i.e. the basis upon which the Nuremberg laws defined who is a Jew. Israel’s founders of thought it appropriate that anyone the Nazis defined as a Jew should be allowed to emigrate and be given safe haven in the Jewish state.
Over the years, there have been issues of Jewish lineage with some Russian Jews. But these problems could have been solved if the rabbis in charge had been lenient regarding conversion. However, the rabbinic establishment here took the opposite approach, and chose to make it exceptionally difficult to convert. As a result, many either do not seek or are unable to complete their conversion efforts. Adding insult to injury, to the rabbis who make it so very difficult to convert, serving as a soldier in the Israeli army (even in cases of those who gave their lives) is not sufficient evidence of a someone's dedication to the Jewish people.
Ultra-Orthodox members of the incoming coalition have also targeted the Women of the Wall (WOW), seeking to pass a law to outlaw all WOW activities. The ultra-Orthodox parties are also pressing to pass a law that will effectively — legally and forever — exempt Yeshiva students from serving in the IDF.
Finally, (for now, although probably not lastly), the ultra-Orthodox are also pursuing legislation that would legalize the separation of men and women in public places. This is one of the reasons the ultra-Orthodox support the Supreme Court “override clause,” planned by their new Knesset, since there is no doubt the Supreme Court would deem any mandate for gender separation as a violation of Israel’s basic laws.
Laws that order gender segregation, as well as the coalition partner’s already agreed upon decision to double the payments made to yeshiva students who are not in the army, are both very unpopular — even among Likud voters. A recent survey showed that 62% of Likud members oppose these planned decisions.
How much of all this will actually happen? We don’t know. Netanyahu has been an expert at prevaricating and delaying action. However, with his trial well under way, and possible jail time hanging over him, Netanyahu will find it difficult not to give in to all the partner demands. This last week, a friend who voted for Netanyahu in the past told me she was shocked that he's giving in to every demand of the religious parties. I reminded her that, unfortunately, Netanyahu was right when he stated Olmert should resign the Prime Ministership when criminal investigations of his actions became serious — because it would be impossible for him to act in a way that was clear his decisions were in the national interest, and not in his personal interest. How much more so is unreasonable conflict of interest an obstacle when the Prime Minister is actually on trial? But that matter is “water under the bridge”.
One thing that has not been determined yet is the agenda of the incoming government. Some of the partner parties insist on an explicit written set of agreements to cement the matters they will address. Also not resolved, to date — which members of Likud will become ministers, and in which ministries. With all the positions Netanyahu has had to give away to coalition partners, in the end, there is no doubt there will be several very unhappy Likud MKs.
DIPLOMACY
President Herzog visited Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates this past week. Herzog tried to assure Israel's new friends that nothing will significantly change with the new government. Herzog, who is widely liked in the world, is likely to play a significant diplomatic role in the coming years of the Netanyahu government.
WEST BANK
Unrest continued this week in the West Bank, with Israeli troops conducting repeated raids— particularly in Jenin, to arrest terrorist suspects. Most of the Israeli raids met armed resistance. Five Palestinians were killed on Wednesday and Thursday, which brought the total of Palestinians killed by Israeli troops to 150 this year.
BUSINESS
Rezonate, formed by two alumni of the Prime Minister’s Office of Cyber has raised $8.7 million to develop its Cloud security products. The lead investor is State of the Mind Ventures, who invested together with Flybridge.
Neureality, which developed a complete system — including custom chips, software and architecture to deploy AI in real word environments, raised $35 million in an A-round. The company has raised $43 million, to date, including this latest round.
RepAir Carbon raised $10 million. The company has developed a cost effective means of capturing carbon from the atmosphere. RepAir Carbon claims their product is easily scalable.
BondIT has raised $14 million. The Fintech company has developed a platform for financial companies to automatically manage their customers bond portfolio.
A PIECE OF HISTORY — “NILI”
World War I pitted the British against the Ottoman Empire. Some of the Jews of Palestine were convinced that supporting the British would help bring about a Jewish State. Led by Avshalom Feinberg and Aaron Aaronson, this group recruited other members of the Zichron Ya'acov community to work on behalf of the British. They called their organization NILI (“Netzah Israel Lo Y’shaker”). Contact was made with the British, and in 1916 and 1917, NILI transmitted important intelligence information to the British. Feinberg and Joseph Lishansky were ambushed by Bedouins near El Arish in 1917, and Feinberg was killed. In September of that year, a carrier pigeon used by NILI was ambushed. Two weeks later, a member of NILI was arrested and after torture, disclosed some of the group's secrets. In early October, the Turks surrounded Zichron Ya'akov and arrested Sarah Aaronson. They tortured her for three days, during which she refused to betray her friends. After three days, she managed to commit suicide, ending her agony. Two of the others -- Joseph Lishansky and Na'aman Belkind -- were executed by the Ottomans on December 16, 1917.
A TASTE OF TEL AVIV — TIMNA
RESTAURANT REVIEW, by Tali Schulman
Located on Lillienblum, right past Herzl St., in an unassuming building, look out for Timna. Originally opened in the West Village in Manhattan, Chef Nir Mesika relocated Timna, along with its fantastic tasting menu to Tel Aviv. Choose between the 4 or 8 course tasting menu and allow them to take you on a culinary adventure. Paired with your choice of unlimited still or sparking water, each dish provides a taste into Chef Nir’s culinary influences from time spent all over the world. One of the most special aspects of this experience, is that they are able to tailor the tasting menu to each person’s dietary restrictions, allowing for almost any type of diner to have a spectacular experience.
For more Tel Aviv restaurant recommendations, you can find me on Instagram @talischulman where I save all my food adventures in my highlights!
