Netanyahu back to free market principles?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might favor returning to a free market economy, as advocated by his new political partner Moshe Feiglin, but his ultra-Orthodox allies are bound to object that.
“I feel like this is the first time I’ve really spoken with Moshe Feiglin. We both support a free market and individual liberty.” That was how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his press conference with Feiglin Aug. 29, where the two men announced that an agreement had been signed between the Likud and Feiglin’s Zehut party. The main principles of the agreement included Zehut withdrawing from the current Knesset election on Sept. 17. Feiglin would then support the Likud and be appointed minister, responsible for some unspecified economic or social portfolio, when the next government is formed. Furthermore, the new government would agree to advance certain economic issues and the legalization of medical marijuana.
And so, Netanyahu’s pressing political needs created a new economic partnership, leaving the two of them to gallop off into the sunset, or so it would seem. The problem is that there are quite a few treacherous obstacles along the way, as personified by Netanyahu’s other coalition partners, who do not embrace Feiglin’s economic theories.
Feiglin was a member of the Likud from 2000 to 2015. He ran twice for the party’s top leadership position and was elected to the Knesset once (2013). Before the 2015 election, Feiglin received an unrealistic slot on the Likud’s Knesset list, so he quit the party and formed Zehut.
This new party had a far-right platform, which included the repeal of the Oslo Accord; the reoccupation and annexation of all territories currently under the Palestinian Authority, including the Gaza Strip; the expulsion of any Palestinians opposed to this; and the granting of “resident” status to Palestinians who openly declare loyalty to the State of Israel. According to Feiglin, this loyalty oath would guarantee these residents civil rights, including the right to own property, but it would not give them the right to vote for the Knesset. The platform was equally clear about matters pertaining to religion and state. Feiglin envisions all state institutions operating according to Jewish law, and the Temple Mount placed under the auspices of the Chief Rabbinate.
