Israeli politics is an excellent example of why term limits can be a good thing. In a country where losing consecutive elections for decades doesn’t cost politicians their party leadership, let alone their ability to serve as government ministers or members of Knesset, the political class has grown incredibly stale. Party labels mean little, with the socialism of the Labor Party long gone and some leaders of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party aiming to sustain a permanent welfare state, at least for their own constituents. There’s nearly no difference among the big parties on economics; in the end, they all support some form of a liberalized free market.

Israel’s economy is increasingly fueled by high tech and globalization, drawing on the instincts of young entrepreneurs and businesspeople who desire some sort of normalized climate in which to work. And this means support for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

In a country where the terms “left ...

» Want to continue? Login below:

top  |  print  |  email