Israel is seeing a change of guard as Yair Lapid takes over as caretaker PM
The reins of power have not changed hands only in Maharashtra, and no longer does Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remain the only high-profile head of a State who has appeared in popular television programmes. Quite a geographical distance away from India and Ukraine, the small but powerful country of Israel too is witnessing a shift in power. In the 10 years since he relinquished his job as a political chat show host to turn a full-time politician, Yair Lapid had dreamed of becoming Israel’s Prime Minister. Now, as he prepares to take over in a caretaker capacity, he is sure to put his best foot forward to prove that he deserves the top job in the long term even as the country prepares to go to polls for the fifth time in less than four years. Meanwhile, former amateur boxer Lapid faces a stiff challenge from conservative Benjamin Netanyahu — Israel’s longest-serving leader — whom he successfully knocked out of office in 2021 by forging an unlikely alliance between eight, ideologically diverse political parties. Of course, Netanyahu — seeking his sixth term in office — will seek to paint his bitter rival as weak on security, particularly when it comes to Iran and terrorism. The challenge for Lapid will be to prove that he can protect Israel from its enemies and promote domestic unity.
But how does the shift in Israel’s domestic power equation impact India? Well, time will surely shed more light on this subject as the current fluid situation unfolds until a new Government is formed after polls due in October or November. However, here’re a few pointers. India and Israel have an extensive and comprehensive economic, military and political relationship. India is the largest buyer of Israeli military equipment and Israel is the second-largest supplier of military equipment to India after Russia. From 1999 to 2009, military business between the nations was worth around $9 billion. Military and strategic ties between the two nations extend to intelligence-sharing on terror groups and joint military training. As of 2019, India was the third-largest Asian trade partner of Israel, and its tenth-largest trade partner overall, with bilateral trade, excluding military sales, clocking $5.53 billion. Needless to say, New Delhi shall be keenly watching the unfolding drama in Tel Aviv. So far, Israel has been an all-weather friend and hopefully that won’t change.
