Netanyahu, run for president

• Published date: 05 April 2021
• Author: Uzi Baruch
• Date: 05 April 2021

We can get annoyed and shift even more uncomfortably in light of the fact that over half of the Israeli nation (at least, that's what it seems to be from the results of the latest elections) sees Binyamin Netanyahu as a problem that is not solvable so long as he is in his seat.

But this is the reality today, and we need to learn to live with it, to get used to it. It doesn't matter who President Reuven Rivlin chooses, in two days from now, to form a coalition: the political jam will remain as long as Binyamin Netanyahu stands at the head of the Likud's arrow, as the only candidate for prime minister.

And you know what? Even if he manages to accomplish the unbelievable, to locate two deserters from the opposing bloc and form a government together with Naftali Bennett (Yamina), a 61-MK government is the direct result of the ongoing political chaos which has characterized Israel over the past two and a half years.

It's time to place everything on the table and say in a loud, clear, voice: The only path to forming a nationalist government passes through Netanyahu's resignation from the position of Prime Minister.

Does Netanyahu need to disappear from public view? Absolutely not. Netanyahu is a leader with many merits, who can still contribute much to the State of Israel and the People of Israel. The criminal cases against him range from minor issues to idle chatter. When he says that the Prosecutor's Office has chosen to be harsh with him due to motives that are not necessarily professional - I tend to believe him.

Therefore, it is important that his voice continue to be heard. But from here on in - not from the Knesset. Not from the position of prime minister. Even if he is right, even if his claims that he is being treated unjustly are true, forcing the matter comes at the expense of all of Israel's citizens, who have not had a stable leadership for two and a half years.

For this, Israel's political echelon needs to gather together and unite in order to elect Netanyahu as the next President of Israel. The presidential elections are secret, but lacking an alternative candidate opposing him, and with the other side understanding that this is their certificate that Netanyahu is...