For Netanyahu, all 'business as usual'

In the early morning of Nov. 28, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for a short visit of a few hours to Kenya. He returned to Israel that same night.

There was nothing urgent or important to this visit. The prime minister of Israel was the sole Western leader who attended Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta's swearing-in ceremony in Nairobi. But for Netanyahu this trip was another opportunity to distance himself from the travails of the criminal investigations into his dealings, and to show the Israeli public more official photos from visits to distant lands, where he is received with royal honors. Netanyahu aims to create a sense among the public that while in his own country he is persecuted by the police and the left, around the world he is treated with prestige and respect.

But this time, as he walked down the red carpet in Nairobi and inspected the Kenyan honor guard, Netanyahu could also be pleased with some achievements at home: After several stormy political days where his fourth government faced immediate and real danger of collapse, he once again stood on firm and solid ground. In less than a week, his coalition withstood two major crises, each one of which could have escalated to an early election. And all this time he is embroiled in several criminal investigations — in a normal world he would be considered a lame duck.

But in current politics — in Israel and in the rest of the world — there is nothing normal, and the prime minister proved once again that when it comes to political survival and manipulation, he is better than anyone else. Netanyahu has emerged from these crises heading a stable coalition, where he — and only he — will decide if and when the next election will take place.