Israeli Election Stalemate Threatens Political Deadlock as Netanyahu and Eisenkot Blocs Clash

Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tight race in Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election, with his government bloc struggling to secure an absolute majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu’s coalition includes ultranationalist and far-right parties, such as those led by police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich. The opposition bloc, led by former army leader Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party, is positioned as a strong challenger. According to the latest polls, Netanyahu’s bloc holds 51 seats, while Eisenkot’s opposition group is projected to secure 55 seats.

The election outcome remains uncertain, with the potential for a stalemate. The two Arab political lists, the United List and Ra’am, could play a pivotal role in determining the result. These parties were initially excluded from the Knesset election committee by the party-politically-occupied committee in September. However, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled in early October that this exclusion was unlawful.

If Netanyahu, with the backing of his far-right allies, manages to form a majority, his policies on security and settlements could intensify. Aviv Bushinsky, a former Netanyahu advisor, warns that “if Netanyahu is elected, he will do whatever he wants,” including continuing settlement expansion and military actions against Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

Eisenkot, on the other hand, is expected to maintain the core principles of Israeli security policy. Political analysts note that the main divide in Israeli politics is not about the direction of policy but the intensity of action. Gadi Eisenkot’s leadership may focus on managing the military and security operations with a different approach, though the fundamental stance on settlements and a Palestinian state is unlikely to change.

Palestinian analyst Ghassan al-Khatib observes that the Israeli political landscape remains centered on opposing a Palestinian state and supporting settlement expansion. He states, “Everyone agrees” on these core issues, indicating that the competition among Israeli parties is more about the style of implementation than the substance of policy.

Despite potential differences in approach, the broader political consensus on key issues remains intact. The role of the Arab lists in forming a coalition government remains unclear, as it is uncertain whether they would support a minority government led by Eisenkot. The election’s outcome will likely hinge on the ability of these Arab parties to influence the balance of power in the Knesset.

Source: Read the original report (translated from German)