My Word: Bibi, Bennett, blocs, and blocks - opinion

From the Jerusalem Post, this opinion piece by Liat Collins offers a characteristically sharp and somewhat cynical take on Israeli politics, particularly focusing on the perennial dance of alliances and the outsized influence of certain figures.

The author expresses skepticism about the longevity and impact of political predictions, using Naftali Bennett's improbable rise to prime minister as a prime example. The piece highlights the "Government of Change" formed by Bennett and Lapid in 2021, which, despite its initial promise, became mired in political paralysis due to its reliance on diverse coalition partners, including Arab parties.

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It took more chutzpah than political acumen, making it very hard to foresee.

Collins frames the current reunion of Bennett and Lapid under the "Beyachad" banner as more of a media event than a fundamental shift, designed to boost Lapid's electoral standing and provide Bennett with campaign resources. The core argument is that Israeli politics revolves around "blocs"—primarily the "Only Bibi" or "Anyone but Bibi" divide—and that true change requires altering these fundamental alignments, not just reshuffling personalities.

The piece concludes by questioning whether former IDF chief-of-staff Gadi Eisenkot will join their "brotherhood," underscoring the fluid and often personality-driven nature of Israeli political maneuvering. The author's tone is one of weary familiarity with these political machinations, suggesting that despite the name changes and new alliances, the underlying dynamics remain stubbornly consistent, reflecting a distinctly Israeli perspective on the cyclical and often dramatic nature of its political landscape.

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Israeli politics is about blocs – and you can give those blocs a name, too: “Only Bibi” or “Anyone but Bibi.”