Netanyahu Leaves Hospital for Knesset Vote

Facts

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left his hospital bed against the advice of his doctor, pushing a Knesset vote over the margin necessary for a critical budget bill to pass on Tuesday. Netanyahu is currently recovering after having his prostate removed.^[1][2]
• Netanyahu — as well as a Likud MK who left his deceased mother's shiva — went to the vote after right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to vote against the budget bill. Ben-Gvir is a member of Netanyahu's coalition.^[2][3]
• Ben-Gvir said he opposed the bill over concerns that it would harm law enforcement, which he oversees. The legislation — part of a series of bills related to the 2025 budget — mandates that companies pay taxes on profits that haven't been reinvested or distributed as dividends.^[2][3]
• Another party in Netanyahu's coalition voted against the bill over the government’s failure to advance controversial legislation exempting Haredim, or Orthodox Jewish citizens, from military service.^[1]
• The tensions within Netanyahu's coalition come as the fighting in Gaza continues and a cease-fire and hostage deal remains elusive. On Tuesday, the UN said that Israel had provided "Insufficient information" regarding its allegations that Gaza's hospitals are being used by Palestinian militants.^[4][5]
• Axios reported last week that US and Israeli officials believe that it is unlikely that a deal will be agreed upon before Donald Trump takes office in January. Eight days of talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt did not lead to a breakthrough, with talks again becoming stalled.^[6]

Sources: ^[1]FOX News, ^[2]The Jerusalem Post, ^[3]The Times of Israel, ^[4]Al Jazeera, ^[5]NonStop Local Tri and ^[6]Axios.

Narratives

• Right narrative, as provided by Ynet News. Ben-Gvir and other members of Netanyahu's coalition must straighten up and end these ridiculous theatrics. Netanyahu, who is still recovering from surgery, was forced from his hospital bed so that this budget bill could be passed. These antics risked the coalition's viability, as failing to pass the budget could have led to early elections. Thankfully, Netanyahu is in good health and can manage these issues.
• Left narrative, as provided by Haaretz. Netanyahu and his far-right allies continue to demonstrate that they are unable to run a functioning government, making a mockery of Israel's democratic system. Indeed, the ruling coalition was forced to stage a filibuster in the plenum to delay the vote so that it could get the necessary votes to pass the bill.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by The Palestine Chronicle and Middle East Eye. Regardless of the latest political crisis in Israel, the country's genocide in Gaza has continued unabated. "Cease-fire" talks have acted as a ruse by the Americans to provide Israel with diplomatic cover as it continue its genocide. Indeed, it's quite clear that Israel's political and military leadership have decided that a drawn-out campaign in Gaza is in Israel's best interest.