Israel has had no shortage of news in recent weeks. With the coronavirus shutting down most of the country and the government in shambles, it seems Israel can't quite catch a break. It's clear that Israel is struggling and could be headed into a dangerous downward spiral, but what will push it over the edge: coronavirus infections or government scandals?
The Direct Impact of COVID-19
Worldwide, the coronavirus has affected hundreds of thousands of people and has killed thousands more. In Israel, the number of cases has surpassed 2,000 and eight people so far have died. With the virus spreading so quickly and putting more and more people in need of care, Israel is alongside many countries in running out of space in its healthcare systems. The country's restrictions as a result of corona progressed from banning gatherings of more than 5,000 people to just 10 people and closing all non-essential businesses within a week. Israel has also been encouraging its citizens abroad to hurry home and has even sent planes to extract them from countries with no commercial flights leaving.
This struggle isn't inherently much more different than any other country, with one caveat: Israel's measures have been coming down hard and fast. With everything going on shutdown with little warning, many of those employed by airlines, restaurants, and other shops have been let go or put on leave without pay. The economy is crashing quickly, and it's unclear how much more the virus's progression will eat away at Israel's infrastructure.
The Second Hit: Coronavirus's Impact on Knesset
Among Israel's major closures was that of the court system. Notably, Netanyahu's corruption trial was set to begin on March 17th, right in the middle of all of the coronavirus chaos. Clearly, the trial has been postponed, but many are asking a big question: was the closure's timing purely coincidental, or did Bibi rush to close the courts in order to avoid facing them?
This is only one among a myriad of issues arising in Israel's legislature. Due to the restrictions on gatherings of ten or more people, Israel's Knesset was forced to close its doors. However, the Knesset does not currently have a system of online or remote voting, and they can't convene to vote on the formation of such a system. This has led the already disarmed transition government into a complete standstill. This also comes at a time when Netanyahu and Gantz are butting heads more than ever, with neither making enough concessions to form a unity government nor a right- or center-left coalition. Essentially, the Knesset is in a complete standstill, and there are few options for moving forward, not even taking into account the tug-of-war surrounding the new Knesset Speaker position which is creating conflict between blocs as well as within the parties themselves.
The Aftermath: The Lasting Imprint on Democracy
Amidst the freezes and shutdowns of the coronavirus pandemic, Bibi has been working on one way to prevent the spread of the disease: tracking the cell phones of anyone diagnosed with coronavirus. Using the same technology used to track terrorists, the Shin Bet (Israel's Security Agency) has been tracking past locations of anyone who is diagnosed the coronavirus and notifying people who were in close proximity via SMS.
People both inside and outside of Israel have been questioning the morality of this: should private citizens be tracked in the same way terrorists are? What about Israelis' right to privacy? Where is the balance between safety and personal security? Legal controversies and clashes abounded as a result of the beginning of this tracking system, which was initiated by the cabinet overnight and without warning. Some, such as Blue and White's Gabi Ashkenazi, are frustrated with the hurried passage of this measure: "It is improper," he said, "that this is the way using such means is authorized, without parliamentary and public oversight." Still others, like Labor-Meretz MK Merav Michaeli, are angry with Netanyahu for enacting the measure at all: "The citizens of Israel are not terrorists... There is no justification for such extreme and dangerous steps."
All of this begs the question: What is coming for Israel next?
Will Israel's democracy be able to withstand the pressures of a crumbling legislature and a global pandemic? Will economic troubles plague the country, and for how long? How will Netanyahu and any other combination of MKs work together to save Israel from the onslaught of obstacles coming its way? Only time will tell...