Almost all political analysis and commentary dealing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ask the same question: “Is he finally ready to cross the Rubicon?” In other words, has he finally reached the stage in his political evolution when he'll abandon personal survival and immediate benefit in favor of advancing greater goals?
History has taught us that the answer to this question is a resounding no. It is difficult to recall sweeping changes or reality-changing moves that Netanyahu promoted in his seven years as prime minister (three years in the 1990s and another four in the term of office he just completed). After watching how Netanyahu functions as prime minister over a long term, the impression is of a man who is not ready for or interested in leading revolutions. It is doubtful whether the son of the renowned historian — Benzion Netanyahu, who passed away last year — will ever be mentioned in the history books as a history-changing leader. Netanyahu is not Julius Caesar; he is not the type who crosses the Rubicon. Each time he could have crossed it, he instead preferred to make an elegant U-turn.
