Netanyahu may return to power
Israeli media reported that an "exchange of blows" took place between Israel and the Gaza Strip. For the first time in 6 months, two rockets from Gaza flew into the Eshkol district. In response, the IDF attacked the Gaza Strip. Fighter jets attacked several facilities and destroyed a Hamas weapons production facility. These events take place against the backdrop of tensions at Temple Mount.
Some Arab countries are also beginning to join the events. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi handed a protest note condemning Israel's actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque to Acting Israeli Ambassador Sami abu Janeb. The Israeli ambassador to the United Arab Emirates was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to receive the same note.
Emirati diplomats say that in the Al-Aqsa Mosque there was "an attack on civilians and an invasion of holy places, as a result of which civilians were injured”. In this regard, the Minister for International Cooperation of the Emirates, Reem bint Ibrahim al-Hashemi, demanded that Israel "stop harassing Palestinians and show respect for their right to perform religious ceremonies, as well as stop violating the inviolability of the Al-Aqsa Mosque”. According to the Minister, "the ongoing escalation of tension threatens stability and security in the region”.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is trying to act as a "fire brigade", stating that it is important "to maintain the status quo in the holy places in Jerusalem and it is necessary to end the cycle of violence, avoiding rhetoric that further exacerbates tensions”. At the same time, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that "Israel will not tolerate calls to support violence," and stressed the need for international support to restore peace in Jerusalem.
Representatives of a number of Arab countries call on Israel "to return to serious negotiations that would lead to a just and universal peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with international law”.
And in this regard, the government of Naftali Bennett is sharply criticised by opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Now the Israeli media are already discussing options for the collapse of the government due to the possible withdrawal of the Arab RAAM party from the coalition. It has four seats in parliament — its departure could lead to snap elections in the country.
As was stated by Netanyahu's office, he is "determined to regain the post of head of government — it is not necessary to hold elections for this, it’s possible to arrange a vote already among the current members of the Knesset”.
And what happens if Netanyahu returns? During the Trump era, he managed to build a trusting relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Netanyahu acted as a liaison between Moscow and Washington. Bennett does not aspire to something like this, which is why Israeli-Russian relations today are more formal.
By the way, according to Israeli media, Moscow has addressed a letter to the Prime Minister of Israel with a request to transfer the Alexander Nevsky church located on the Alexander Courtyard in Jerusalem to Russia. Let's see how Bennett responds.