The Fourth consecutive election in Israel will be held in three days with all groups almost having no faith in securing a strong majority.
Because of right-wing supremacy, Israelis will have no actual voting options in this General Election. The numerous right-wing parties are a reflection of the right’s fragmentation and small disagreements in terms of government preferences. Just Haredi Jews claim to have distinct choices.
Despite the fact that Likud is the strongest of these right-wing groups, Israel’s political turmoil is mostly due to the party’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his graft and bribery accusations. This is the primary reason why Israel will hold its fourth election in two years three days from now, with no credible means of electing a party with a strong majority to form a government that is not based on coalitions.
In order to cross the 61 Knesset seats threshold, whichever party leader is in a position to join an alliance would almost certainly need support from the Arab parties competing in the election.
Despite the fact that Likud is the strongest of these right-wing groups, Israel’s political turmoil is mostly due to the party’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his graft and bribery accusations. This is the primary reason why Israel will hold its fourth election in two years three days from now, with no credible means of electing a party with a strong majority to form a government that is not based on coalitions. In order to cross the 61 Knesset seats threshold, whichever party leader is in a position to join an alliance would almost certainly need support from the Arab parties competing in the election.
Palestinians in Israel, who account for about 17% of the electorate, are also witnessing political divisions. The United Arab List, which is competing in the election under the banner of the Southern Branch of the Islamic Movement, broke away from the Joint List after its chairman, Mansour Abbas, proposed a “new solution” that does not rule out collaboration with a Netanyahu-led government in return for civil concessions.
Due to potental failure to cross the electoral threshold for gaining a parliamentary seat, this schism may result in a decrease in Arab representation in the Knesset and the demise of the splinter party. The most concerning aspect of getting two lists is the acceleration of the social rift at a time when non-Arab parties, especially Likud, are ramping up their propaganda efforts to attract Arab votes.
The General Election is a watershed moment for Netanyahu’s potential involvement in Israeli politics and, by extension, the world. If his struggles to form a coalition fail, he will either face jail and oblivion. On the other side of the story, he will be able to extend his political career if he proves successful in making an extremist, oppressive, minority government. Indeed, the election outcome will decide not just Netanyahu’s destiny, but also the destiny of his party.
Considering that Netanyahu no longer has Trump in the White House, his prospects to win the battle are slim to none. Trump was an influential an ally who backed his settlement initiative and played a key role in forcing Benny Gantz to commit to an alliance with Likud, enabling Netanyahu, to join a national unity government. Furthermore, demonstrations have been going on for months, demanding his resignation or deposal over the corruption cases.
At the moment, the parties competing in the General Election have more than 90 seats in the Knesset. As a result, the power struggle is mainly between those who immediately favor Netanyahu’s faction (Haredim and religious Zionists) and those who aim to shift Netanyahu from within the right, for whom Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope Party might be appealing.
