Benjamin Netanyahu earned his reputation as a super-campaigner who (nearly always) wins because he excels at putting the bloc above the party. That’s easy to say when your side doesn’t include 10 (or more) Arab lawmakers, who in today’s twisted Israel are rejected outright as possible coalition partners, while criminals, racists, Kahanists, draft dodgers, messianists, homophobes and other dreck are desired Knesset and cabinet partners. Before the election, they are kept at a distance; the minute the polls close, the barriers come down and the alliances are forged.
