We know who Bibi is and what he wants, doesn’t want and what he fears. We still don’t really know much about Isaac Herzog’s policies. We know he doesn’t think much of Netanyahu, but what policies did he wish to implement?
For me this really lies at the heart of the result. I get the feeling Herzog felt he simply needed to say a few bad things about Netanyahu to win. There is plenty of criticism all around for the vacuous campaigns run by many of the parties (with the notable exception of Yesh Atid) who chose to go for social media videos belittling their Knesset colleagues over substantial statements on policy. However in the closing moments of his campaign Bibi made it absolutely clear where he stands. He is the man who stands for nothing, no movement with the Palestinians, no negotiation on Jerusalem, no truck with Iran and that the people need to come out and vote for him or else there’ll be a left wing government (god forbid!)
The truth is that in making this case Bibi did more than Herzog ever did. Short of some mumbling about heading a committee to solve the problem of spiralling house prices very little of substance came from Herzog at all. Furthermore he seemed to be afraid to state left wing positions and pandered slightly to the right only to find himself out manoeuvred by Bibi from the even further right. This happened at the very start of the campaign when we saw Herzog and Livni awkwardly declaring something nice sounding about Jerusalem only for Bibi to call them out on it the next day.
And really this serves to demonstrate the fact that Herzog never quite figured out the right things to say or do at any given moment. He seemed to stick to attacking Bibi over and over again. Funny thing about that is the more he mentioned Bibi’s name the more he enhanced him as a leader. It became as if he was a shadow over Israel that could never be removed, as if Herzog had such an insurmountable challenge ahead of him that he himself never truly believed he could win.
I’m reminded of a blog post I wrote (and infuriatingly can’t find) in the wake of the previous election when I met Herzog at a Q and A for English speaking immigrants. I asked him point blank why it was that I should vote for him to be the next Prime Minister of Israel. He proceeded to ignore the question and wax lyrical about how the voters for other parties are natural Labour voters and that soon Labour will be back on top.
It was a disappointing answer.
As per their rules the Labour Party will once again hold a leadership election. Perhaps Herzog will hold on to the party. I hope at the next election whoever is leading Labour actually has the courage to talk policy rather than simply attacking Likud and Netanyahu.
The Israeli public simply decided it was better the devil they know.
