Nannygate (as the foreign press quickly called it) has fascinated Israel so completely, you’d hardly notice the prickly issues confronting Netanyahu in his first weeks in office. That was the prime minister’s defense as well. ““Serious journalism shouldn’t be preoccupied with things like this,’’ said his communications director, David Bar-Illan. But it was Netanyahu who changed the rules of political reporting in Israel. Following his ““American style’’ campaign, he paraded his family as no Israeli politician ever had, kissing his wife and carrying his sons in the spotlight whenever possible. Could he have thought the press would stop covering his family after the election?
Not that Nannygate doesn’t have an upside. Much of the world lost sight of Netanyahu’s televised spat last week with Foreign Minister David Levy over hawkish Ariel Sharon’s role in the cabinet. Netanyahu also continued to send mixed signals over how much autonomy he’ll grant Palestinians. This week Netanyahu heads to Washington, where he hopes to amass political and financial support from Jewish-American groups, Capitol Hill politicians and President Clinton. And he’s bringing his wife and children with him. But the Netanyahus won’t have to manage without a nanny. They’ve found a loyal replacement: Sara’s niece. Of course, she’ll still have to wash her hands regularly.
