Alls well that ends well -- that is, almost all. On Wednesday, the Knesset rejected, by a crushing majority of 57 to 28, MK Faina Kirshenbaums proposal to turn the Knesset into a McCarthyist interrogation panel that noses around the financial affairs of left-wing organizations. That's not to say that there arent serious ethical questions as to the role these organizations play in Israeli society, or that the need to raise funds from the European Union or supposedly friendly governments is devoid of ulterior motives. Still, if the Knesset had accepted Yisrael Beitenus proposal, it would have constituted another blow to Israels image as the only democracy in the Middle East. Within his party, Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman made political hay. Just before the vote, he convened a press conference in which he declared victory, no matter the outcome of the vote. After all, he had managed to place the issue on the public agenda. He also lambasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and portrayed Israels leadership as a bunch of cowards. Yet is it cowardly for a government struggling to improve Israels image in the world to take international criticism into account? Lieberman did make one good point. He complained that the coalition supported the boycott law, which was proposed by Likud MKs, but rejected Yisrael Beitenus initiative to set up investigative committees. Why the discrimination? Lieberman is right. Both proposals should have been rejected. Something was foul about Wednesday nights debate. It had nothing to do with the content of the vote, but with the wholesale absence of many coalition ministers and Knesset members. Ministers Yisrael Katz, Silvan Shalom, Eli Yishai and Ariel Atias were all no-shows. Once again the Likud old guard has saved Israels liberal-national camp from an assault from the Right. The future is worrisome, but the present has improved. The Knesset is finally taking a recess, relieving some of the internal coalition pressure, at least until the U.N. General Assembly convenes in September. Israel can now court foreign ministries around the world without being ambushed and attacked by its own parliament as it begs for mercy ahead of a decision to establish a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. Parliamentary quiet has been reinstated -- until next time.
Most embarrassing of all, Vice Prime Minister Moshe (Bogey) Yaalon was present in the Knesset plenum but refused to cast a vote. This was no accident. Every day, every week, is an opportunity to campaign for the Likud primaries. The easiest thing to do is avoid taking a stance.
