From Israel’s coalition point of view, the situation is clear: we must keep it going, for as long as possible.

Identification is required for survival. Without identification there is no society. Without a sense of togetherness there is no society. 

Of course, Chikli is no Churchill, nor is Israel like Britain. And yet, the story of the MK and his party that made headlines in Israel this week is worth telling. It is a small story beyond which big questions about politics loom. 

I am gradually becoming convinced that the idea of barring Jews from Temple Mount — because of the threat of Arab violence — rather than keep a lid on a barrel of dynamite, only begets more violence.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that Israel is about to have a new election tomorrow or very soon, but it does cast a long shadow over the ability of the current government to survive more than a few more months.

Twenty years have passed since Israel launched Defensive Shield — the military operation that turned the tide on the Second Intifada.