TV presenter and author Yair Lapid - a prettier Netanyahu?
This is a person who is a self-declared 'centrist' and 'liberal' politician. This would almost seem comic, perhaps ridiculous, if he was not a man ranked first on the list of the "Most Influential Jews in the World" by The Jerusalem Post in 2013.
But who is this man, who seems to challenge the very essence of the term "liberal"?
Yair Lapid seems to be every mother-in-law's dream. Handsome, charming, up-beat, often smiling and in good mood. He entered politics 2012 and won a storming victory for Yesh Atid party in 2013, with no substantial prior political experience. His credentials, and no doubt public appeal, were based upon his past as a TV presenter and news anchor, as well as journalist and author. His focus was very much on "social justice", which was a very hot item in Israel at the time - a term which naturally did not really include Palestinians as a part of its considerations. With a somewhat vague political agenda, his party suddenly became the second largest in the Knesset after Likud, with 19 seats.
Comment: Lapid seems to have read the Obama/Clinton blueprint for aspiring political leaders in the West: Appear progressive if possible, talk about social justice, try to be all things to all people - but when it comes down the brass tacks of militarism and empire-building - sound, act and support policies that are "strong" and "nationalistic". In other words, be a nice little archon for darkness and pathology where it involves anyone who isn't a part of the clan.