The Knesset’s winter session began Oct. 12 “with no future, no hope and no dream,” to borrow from the lyrics of the late Israeli singer and writer Zohar Argov's “Alone.” Under normal circumstances, the start of a new Knesset session is a festive occasion, marked by optimism and the promise that something new, something good, might actually transpire. The second session of the 20th Knesset, however, seated only in March, opened without the requisite message of hope. There was none from the prime minister and none from the leader of the opposition, who has been struggling to lead an alternative agenda in response to the seething wave of violence and terror. Even Knesset members from the predominantly Arab Joint List are having a hard time leading their constituencies. They cannot seem to find the proper balance between supporting the Palestinian struggle and supporting the interest of Israel’s Palestinian citizens. Instead, they are spearheading a provocative agenda without imagination or vision.
Wandering the Knesset’s corridors, it was impossible to ignore the overwhelming sense of silence, depression and despair. It could be felt almost everywhere. Reports of new stabbing attacks from around the country inundated the smartphones of Knesset members, ministers, aides and advisers, intensifying the sense of gloom. The prime minister sat in his Knesset office grumbling and more short-tempered than usual, working on the speech he would shortly deliver. A double challenge confronted him: He had to push back against the violence and also contend with the political instability on the right that threatens the short existence of his fourth government.
