PA vaccine fiasco is how Netanyahu ran Israel

For two years, Israel lacked basic workings of government. Checks and balances were tossed out of the window, power was concentrated in the Prime Minister’s Office, and mandatory demands for governance, like a state budget, were postponed.

The result was an unprecedented period of chaos and lack of accountability. The country was left yearning for the appointment of foreign diplomats, and one of its worst civilian disasters was not investigated. This eroded confidence abroad, harmed relations with key countries and left questions about how Israel slouched into a war in May with Hamas and what other important decisions were taken for short-term political gain.

Israel finally emerged from the shadow of this seemingly endless instability in June with a new government and a promise of more transparency and renewed authority.

But the long-term effects of the chaos under former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu may linger for years to come. That Netanyahu, whose supporters often portray him as an all-knowing, brilliant leader of historic proportions, could jettison basic responsibilities and accountability leaves many questions about today’s Israel.

The recent confusion about