Israel’s Prime Minister, Bibi Netanyahu had a distinguished military career, ending up with the rank of captain in a crack unit. Two days ago, he fired his Minister of Defense, Yoav Galant, an ex-General and considered until recently a strong loyalist of his boss.

The streets of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and dozens of other places erupted. The trades unions and the employers and cinema owners and venture capital groups and banks and……….. shut up shop. Last night, the Prime Minister was forced to announce that – at least temporarily – he has halted his attempts to reform (castrate?) Israel’s judicial system.

It is 12 weeks since this latest Netanyahu government was sworn in. In that time, we have seen violent political debates, foreign direct investment collapse, huge funds leave the country, a series of ‘misunderstandings’ with the USA, and an inability to tackle a worsening security situation.

To give some perspective, here are 6 points for your consideration.

1. The attempts at judicial change have been prioritised and look destined to continue. In these 3 months, little other legislation has been passed. One exception is the law that now allows politicians to accept large donations. I will let my readers consider why the opposition considers this a giant step towards the legitimisation of corruption. I should also mention that a law to restrict the movement of violent husbands was thrown out by the party of the Minister of Police!
2. Ostensibly, Bibi fired Galant because he did not tackle the issue of senior reserve soldiers and air force teams, who are now refusing to turn up for duty. As my wife recalled, it is barely 20 years ago, when supporters of Bibi refused to take part in the operations to return Gush Katif to the Palestinians for political reasons.
3. As Bibi made his speech placing the legislation to one side, for the first time a large demonstration took place of those supporting his policies. He acknowledged them and thanked them in his speech. Mr. PM – I urge you to look again. Those protesters were primarily young, orthodox Jews, who do not vote for you but for your coalition allies. Your Likud party’s supporters were not to be seen (by the television cameras). Is it any wonder that your popularity has been decimated in polls in the past month?
4. Bibi and his colleagues have concentrated on reforms of the High Court of Justice. As one very observant female pointed out, why do they not also mention the need to reform the rabbinical courts? Is that to do with the fact that Bibi’s coalition allies will not allow the subject even to be mentioned?
5. I referred to a shift in the polls. That shift is probably the most significant movement seen in the country since the mid 1970s. In May 1977, the Likud’s predecessor under Menachem Begin came to power for the first time, as the socialists were seen as tired, corrupt and incompetent. (sic!)
6. Just before making his speech, Bibi had to shore up his coalition. The last man holding out was Ben Gvir, the Minister of Internal Security. This is a man on the far right of the political spectrum – far right in all the meaning of the term. He has his own extensive police record and was not allowed to serve in the army. Ben Gvir demanded from Bibi and received permission to create a new security force, under his personal command – separate from the police and army! I comment no further.

And where are we today, less than 3 days after Galant made his speech to the country which prompted his sacking?

Galant had demanded that the security cabinet be convened because there is a huge problem on the horizon and the national political debate is threatening the army’s ability to operate. Bibi has refused. Galant spoke out, placing the security of the nation before the needs of his Likud party and before those of his PM. He was told that he was fired.

The country erupted. Bibi’s strategy completely back fired. Bibi backtracked, at least for now. Our military hero had shot himself in the foot!

And yet:

A) Whatever is that security situation, it still exists.

B) Meanwhile, Galant has yet to receive his formal letter of dismissal.

C) Israel – that is surrounded by existential threats – does not know if it has or has not an appointed Minister of Defense!!!!!!!!

Do you get the feeling that this is a PM who has ‘lost it’?