Yes, we’ve seen this movie before, as the Hebrew adage goes.. In the build-up to the election, Prime Minister Netanyahu once again moves right, in this case calling for limited sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, in order to convince right-wing and religious voters that he is faithful to the Land of Israel. And just as in previous elections, the Likud pit bulls are going after Betzalel Smotrich, saying that “only the Likud” will protect the Land of Israel.

Is that really so?

As the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history, Netanyahu could have boosted the rebuilding of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria a long time ago, could have prevented the expansion of illegal Arab building in Area C, and could have prevented the building of the new Arab city Rawabi, which is choking adjacent Jewish communities in the heart of Samaria.

Netanhayu does say with a good deal of truth that he would have liked to do all these, but the US presidents for most of his terms in office were Bush and Obama who opposed every one of those moves, and the fact is that he has moved forward in many ways since Trump entered the Whtie House.

Is he sincere this time about declaring gradual Jewish sovereignty? Perhaps, and if so, it’s a good first step, but only that. The Jordan Valley is essential for Israel’s security, but so are the strategic mountains of Samaria that overlook Israel’s only international airport. And, more importantly, Judea and Samaria are the cradle of our biblical, historical heritage. Without Hevron, Shiloh, and Bet El, there is no Tel Aviv.

Voting for the Likud, as opposed to the parties to the right of Likud will just continue the path  of the Netanyahu years. Only a strong showing to the right of Netanyahu will pull him to the right and ensure that the movement towards sovereignty will grow, as well as strengthening the Jewish character of the State of Israel.

Parties that take a strong stand on these issues are worthy of our votes. The honorable withdrawal of the Noam party from the race will strengthen the remaining parties to the right of Likud, hopefully ensuring a strong showing for the Yamina alliance (and possibly enabling Otzma Yehudit to pass the threshold if it still remains stubbornly in the race against all odds).

The main thing is to vote for a party to the right of Likud. Just as the 12 seats of Meretz pulled Yitzchak Rabin to the left in 1992, leading to the Oslo Accords, we can do the same this time with Netanyahu by pulling him to the right with our votes. Then we can begin to undo the horror that is Oslo.