Israel's dysfunctional government cannot survive

An amalgam of eight leaders trading insults and denigrating each other - whilst their parties have adopted policies that are totally irreconcilable on critical issues – is not the foundation for any stable Government – especially in Israel – whose enemies will become increasingly emboldened following the announcement of a cobbled-together Israeli Government comprising very different bedfellows.

A vote of confidence first needed from 61 members of the Knesset before this dysfunctional Government even begins operating is certainly not a foregone conclusion.

Either an Islamic-Arab party – Ra'am (4 seats) – or an extreme left wing party – Meretz (6 seats) which includes two Israeli Arabs – possess the ability to drag Israelis to a fifth election in 3 years.

• This Government could implode in making decisions involving such issues as:
• Hauling Israel before the International Criminal Court (ICC)
• Authorising future building in Judea and Samaria (West Bank)
• Extending Israeli sovereignty into Judea and Samaria
• Preventing the renewal of violent protests by Israel's Arab population that saw synagogues burnt and attacks on Jews and their property during last month's Israel- Gaza conflict

Fractured relations and policy differences abound:

Meretz leader - Nitzan Horowitz - has adopted the position that the ICC has grounds for investigating Israel for suspected war crimes.

Gideon Sa'ar – leader of the New Hope party - said that he would not include Meretz in any coalition he led for holding that viewpoint.

Horowitz can't join the government with positions like that...

Yamina MK Ayelet Shaked – echoed Sa'ar's sentiments:

Anyone who talks like that will not be with us in a coalition...

Yet Sa'ar and Shaked – and supposedly 10 other members of New Hope and Yamina parties – are ready to sit with Horowitz in coalition as the ICC probe continues and Israel's Government has to formulate its responses.