Capitol riots: Could they happen in Jerusalem? - analysis

• Published date: 07 January 2021
• Date: 07 January 2021
• Author: GIL HOFFMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The overwhelming majority of the MKs did not even bother coming, with the notable exception of new, Philadelphia-born MK Moshe Tur-Paz (Yesh Atid), who was sworn in the day before and arrived at 9 a.m., eager to work.

Hours later, another parliament 9,490 kilometers away was anything but quiet, as an angry mob of protesters supporting outgoing US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol Building in a demonstration that went way out of control.

The following day, Knesset members pondered whether such events that were previously unimaginable in Washington could happen in Jerusalem. The MKs – as usual – spoke along party lines, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's allies warning that anti-Netanyahu activists could cross such redlines, and the prime minister's opponents suggesting that it was his backers who could storm the Knesset at Netanyahu's behest.

Those on the Left cited the fact that a national leader was assassinated in Israel more recently than in the US, and that it followed what was seen as incitement by Netanyahu himself. Those on the Right noted protests against Netanyahu near his residence that had been especially intense.

What the MKs could agree on, however, is that the Knesset Guard is resolute and knows a possible emergency when it sees one and would not let such a riot even come close to happening. Israel's security agencies and its protection of its politicians are very professional, and the Knesset is much more protected than the Capitol Building was on Wednesday.

Netanyahu, like Trump, is very resolute about not leaving office. His family has been steadfast about keeping the Prime Minister's Residence on Jerusalem's Balfour and Smolenskin streets as their own personal fiefdom.

But Israel's voting system is much less complicated, involves no technology and leaves less room to question the results, even in a country with the most lawyers per capita. And while Israel has adopted American hyperpolarization, it is questionable whether any of its sectors would get so unruly in response to election results they disliked.

A video clip circulated by journalist Akiva Novick on social media late Wednesday was a powerful reminder that even incitement and threats do not mean they will be actualized. In the clip, Likud minister David Amsalem, who is close to Netanyahu, warned on the right-wing Channel 20 of what would happen if Netanyahu's legal cases advanced.

"If the prime minister is indicted, hundreds of thousands, even millions of people...