Source: John Paluska | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor
For the fourth time in two years, Israelis are going to be ballot box to vote on their next Prime Minister.
Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “festival of Democracy” and his competitor, Yair Lapid, called it “the moment of truth,” the Associated Press reports.
While the vote is undeniably important for the country, one Israeli pointing to the frustrating nature of having to continuously vote for a Prime Minister. “It would be better if we didn’t have to vote, you know, four times in two years. It’s a little bit tiring,” the person reportedly told the Associated Press.
Another Israeli living in Jerusalem echoed those sentiments, telling the Associated Press, “Four elections in two years erode public trust in the democratic process.” However, this second resident also concluded “There is no other way.”
Netanyahu has pushed himself as an Israel-first candidate who cited successful work on the Abraham Accords with President Trump as the reason he should continue to protect Israel’s interests. However, he is riding off the back of a scandal and investigation by the Israeli government where he has been accused, in three separate cases, of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes. Netanyahu, however, pled ‘not guilty’ during the investigation and claimed that it was all a part of a coup to get him out of office.
Netanyahu also touted his reported success with the coronavirus, getting large portions of Israel’s population vaccinated. According to the Associated Press, 80 percent of Israel is vaccinated while only 6,000 have died of COVID-19.
Israelis, however, have also been the victims of increased crimes, domestic abuse and suicides due to the exceptionally harsh lockdowns in the country. Additionally, the country reportedly has double-digit unemployment rates as a result of the lockdowns.
In all, Israel’s most recent election has left a bad taste in the mouths of many who are now forced to vote for the fourth time in two years for the same position.
It is unclear whether Netanyahu can win.
