Israeli Elections Today as Benjamin Netanyahu Faces Benny Gantz
SCIUTTO: We have some very sad news to share. "ABC News" is now reporting that legendary journalist Cokie Roberts has died. She was a longtime Washington reporter, she was co-host of "ABC This Week" for years. She was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. I'm going to read briefly from a statement from James Goldston, he's president of "ABC News." "Cokie Roberts will be dearly missed. Cokie's kindness, generosity, sharp intellect and thoughtful take on the big issues of the day made ABC a better place, and all of us better journalists." ABC says that her death was due to complications from breast cancer. She was a groundbreaking female journalist. She was a legend in the business. She was also an author, she wrote books about the Civil War, she wrote books about the women who took part in the founding of this nation. She was also a friend and mentor to many journalists, including myself. This is sad news to hear, about Cokie, and we send our best to her family.</s>HARLOW: Of course we do. Such a voice on NPR. All right. In Israel, make-or-break election day for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Polls there close in just a few hours, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. And by midnight Eastern time, we'll know, likely, if he is going to hold onto power.</s>SCIUTTO: It's a very tight race. If elected, Netanyahu, we should note, has pledged to annex parts of the West Bank, even though it would seriously endanger, perhaps end the possibility of a two-state solution. His rival, former military general Benny Gantz, says that Netanyahu is simply a danger to democracy. We're joined now by Aaron David Miller, former Middle East negotiator for the State Department, and CNN global affairs analyst. So, Aaron, you've been involved in some very difficult negotiations trying to resolve this issue, peace between Israelis and the Palestinians. What would the significance be of Netanyahu to retain power after making such a threat, to annex parts of the West Bank, in effect put a nail in the coffin, you might say, to a two-state solution?</s>AARON DAVID MILLER, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: You know, Jim, I've given up most of my illusions about Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, but I haven't really given up hope. And I think even though the threat to a two-state solution is nothing short of profound, I think the re-election of the prime minister, and the Jordan Valley annexation, frankly, is quite popular in Israel. Even Benny Gantz, his opponent, won't challenge it. But that's 30 percent of the West Bank. And, combined with all the facts on the ground and the difficult issues and the tough positions adopted by both Mr. Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, you have a serious, serious threat to the prospects of separating Israelis and Palestinians through negotiations. If Mr. Netanyahu is re-elected, however, whether or not he annexes the Jordan Valley or the West Bank, I suspect that it's not only going to be five minutes to midnight on the two-state solution, I think we're going to be past midnight.</s>HARLOW: Yes.</s>MILLER: So there's a lot at stake here for peace, and for the future direction of Israeli democracy --</s>SCIUTTO: Yes.</s>MILLER: -- relations with the American Jewish community. This is probably the most pivotal, consequential and uncertain election in Israel's political history.</s>HARLOW: Well, and one, Aaron, they could also end in a constitutional crisis for them. I mean, if neither Benny Gantz nor Benjamin Netanyahu are able to form a coalition, then what happens?</s>MILLER: Well, you know, Poppy, Israel doesn't have a formal written constitution. But I've heard this referred to --</s>HARLOW: Right.</s>MILLER: -- by the Israeli chattering classes as essentially a constitutional crisis. I think the president of Israel, Mr. Rivlin, will go to extreme lengths if, in fact, there's a deadlock, to try to persuade and prevent a return to what now seems unimaginable, but quite possible. That this will end with neither of the major parties being able to cross 61, to put together a government. Israel will have been without a functioning duly elected government for well over a year, and elections probably wouldn't happen until early 2020. So that's an outcome, I think, that everyone --</s>SCIUTTO: Yes.</s>MILLER: -- will try to avoid.</s>SCIUTTO: You also have this personal interest of the Israeli prime minister, accused of corruption, who, if he wins, has threatened to, in effect, change the law to protect himself. Tell us about the significance of that for the rule of law in this country.</s>MILLER: I mean, you know, the issue of parliamentary immunity is one thing. And I think if Mr. Netanyahu attains (ph) 61 votes, that's going to pass.</s>TEXT: Netanyahu Facing At Least 3 Corruption Probes: 1. Allegedly offering regulatory benefits to telecom executive for better media coverage; 2. Allegedly offering help to newspaper owner in exchange for better media coverage; 3. Allegedly accepting $280,000 worth of champagne, cigars, other gifts</s>MILLER: But there is a supreme court in Israel, and an independent judiciary. What would likely happen, if he attains a majority, is that he will introduce legislation to prevent the supreme court from overturning duly regulated legislation passed by the Knesset. So that would open the door, it seems to me, to a slippery slope that would compromise one of the few remaining checks and balances on Mr. Netanyahu's power. But, again, he's fighting not just for his political life, but for his freedom. And if faced with an existential crisis, he's likely to say or do anything in order to stay out of prison.</s>HARLOW: Just shows how high the bar is, here, on multiple fronts. Aaron David Miller -- the stakes are, I should say -- Aaron David Miller, great analysis. Thank you so much. Quick break, we'll be right back.