Skip to main content

Netanyahu’s scare tactics sideline economic failures

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demagogic discourse on security is a distraction from the weakening Israeli economy, congestion on dangerous roads and a declining health care system.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem March 3, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC15B41F2360
Read in 

The Likud's campaign slogan, “Netanyahu: Right. Strong. Gantz: Left. Weak,” is well chosen. It sounds great in speeches and looks good on billboards. Every Israeli voter knows that strong is good for the Jews and weak is good for the Arabs. In other words, “It’s Tibi or Bibi,” the slogan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu coined recently, juxtaposing his nickname with the popular head of the Ta’al party, Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmad Tibi. The subtext is obvious: Netanyahu protects us from the Iranian enemy and defends us against Palestinian terrorism. Netanyahu has adopted the attitude “Happy are those who are continually fearful,” attributed in the Bible to the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon.

The March 14 rockets fired from Gaza at Tel Aviv and Iran’s alleged phone hack of Netanyahu’s chief rival, Blue and White Party head Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, gave Netanyahu's angle further support, as did the March 17 terror attack that killed two Israelis near the West Bank town of Ariel.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.