Israel's dysfunctional government cannot survive

Prime Minister-elect Bennett repeatedly called Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas a "terror supporter" before the elections – but now opines:

Mansour Abbas isn't a terror supporter. I met an honest man and a brave leader who is reaching out and seeking to help Israeli citizens.

An amazing epiphany indeed for an Arab leader whose party's 4 seats could bring down this Government at any time.

During the election campaign – Bennett signed a pledge on TV (pictured below) – making the following commitments:

I won't allow Yair Lapid to be prime minister, including in a rotation (agreement.)" and "I will not establish a government based on the support of Mansour Abbas from the Islamic Movement.

Bennett's credibility has been shot to pieces.

Bennett has long held the following views:

The central problem is the failure of the Israeli leadership to simply state that the land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel. We have to say this to ourselves on Channel 2 and on CNN that Israel belongs to the Jews.

We have to tell ourselves and the whole world that his land has belonged to us for 3,000 years. The most certain path to defeat is for Israel to forget its sense of justice. This is true historically and legally. There has never been a Palestinian state here.

Can Bennett utter one word about these historic and modern-day legal claims without the leaders of Meretz and Ra'am threatening to pack their bags and bring down the Government?

Bennett has argued since 2012 in his detailed "Israel Stability Initiative" that Israel needs to extend its sovereignty into Area C of Judea and Samaria and that Gaza should be separated from Judea and Samaria. Advancing Bennett's plan could see the Government's downfall.

Israelis deserve a Government united in policy and possessing the firm resolve to combat their sworn enemies. This rancour-ridden Government - infected by deep political differences - is not the answer.