On Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu returned as Israel’s prime minister with a right-of-center government led in part by his Likud Party. But just as was the case following Israel’s latest election (its fifth in four years), CBS Mornings melted down over Netanyahu’s latest coalition “as Israel’s most far-right government” in history that could result in the “targeting” of American Jews, gays, non-orthodox Jews, Palestinians, and women.
Fill-in co-host Adriana Diaz began the 92-second segment by lamenting Netanyahu’s “government...includes ultra nationalists and religious parties that were once on the fringes of Israeli politics.”
Foreign correspondent Ramy Inocencio employed a classic liberal media trick of using “critics say” to sling mud about Netanyahu leading an “intolerant” and “insular” government:
[T]his is being described as Israel’s most far-right government since the country was established back in 1948. Critics say this is potentially the most intolerant and the most insular, and that’s because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in order to form a governing coalition, has now aligned himself with nationalists and orthodox parties.
Inocencio attempted to foreshadow what leftists insist is Israel future by arguing Netanyahu’s partners could go after “Palestinians, Jews who are non-orthodox, women, to prevent them from serving in the military alongside men, and the LGBTQ community.”
Along with griping that Netanyahu’s desire to “expand Jewish settlements” in the West Bank will draw the White House’s ire, Inocencio fretted that Netanyahu will “cause a schism” with “American Jews” because “most...are, in fact, non-orthodox”.
Back in New York, Diaz complimented him Inocencio for his “great context.”
CBS’s meltdown over a conservative government and Netanyahu’s return was brought to you by advertisers such as Dell and Prevagen. Follow the links to see their contact information at the MRC’s Conservatives Fight Back page.
To see the relevant transcript from December 29, click “expand.”
CBS Mornings
December 29, 2022
7:15 a.m. Eastern[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Netanyahu’s Return to Power; Israel’s Government Signals Sharp Turn to Right]
ADRIANA DIAZ: In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu is returning to power for a record sixth time as his government is sworn in this morning. His recent election victory led to the creation of a government that includes ultra nationalists and religious parties that were once on the fringes of Israeli politics. Ramy Inocencio is tracking developments from London. Good morning.
RAMY INOCENCIO: Good morning, Adriana. That’s right, this is being described as Israel’s most far-right government since the country was established back in 1948. Critics say this is potentially the most intolerant and the most insular, and that’s because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in order to form a governing coalition, has now aligned himself with nationalists and orthodox parties targeting Palestinians, Jews who are non-orthodox, women, to prevent them from serving in the military alongside men, and the LGBTQ community. Now for the U.S., there are major political and cultural considerations. Mr. Netanyahu’s party has already vowed to expand Jewish settlements in disputed regions. That includes the West Bank, and the White House has voiced opposition to this because the West Bank is seen as a territorial core, if you will, for a future Palestinian state. And then from a religious perspective, most American Jews are in fact non-orthodox, so Israel’s new government is on track to cause a schism in that vein. All that likely to drive more tension between the countries as Israel’s government veers further to the right. That is expected to last a full term, and that is the next four years. Adriana.
DIAZ: Remy, great context. Thank you.
