Israeli Elections
Those in the “anti-Netanyahu” camp have begun the process of trying to pass legislation that would ban a Knesset member who has been indicted from being tasked with forming a government and becoming prime minister.
Ayman Odeh says the Blue and White Party must reject the idea of a “Jewish majority” government and abandon plans to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria if it wants the support of the Arab parties.
Left-wing bloc comprises 55 mandates: 33 for Blue and White, 15 for Joint Arab List and seven for Labor-Gesher-Meretz • Netanyahu blasts Gantz for “trying to steal the election” following center-left push for legislation to block his path to forming a government.
The proceedings seemed muted by the clash of Democratic presidential candidates, the spread of the coronavirus, the rise of anti-Semitism and continued Iranian aggression.
“If you ask Israeli Arabs, they will say that part of their identity is Israeli. The younger generation feels more Israeli than Palestinian, but now they feel the state is accusing them of being traitors,” said Rodayna Badir, an expert on Arab society in Israel working on research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Even after two other elections, the numbers remain tight, and other issues loom on the horizon—namely, the March 17 trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Contact has already been established with “a number of MKs from the other side,” says a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“This is not the result that will put Israel back on the right path,” says Blue and White leader Benny Gantz after release of exit polls • Labor head Amir Peretz blames Gantz’s “irresponsible campaign” for “damaging the left-wing bloc.”
Israeli election results will “force the people of the region to live by the sword,” says top Palestinian official Saeb Erekat • Joint List’s Ahmad Tibi calls Netanyahu win a “dark day for the country.”
“This was a great victory for the right-wing camp, and first and foremost for us Likudnikim,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the third round of elections within the course of a year.
They point to a larger than expected voter turnout, reaching the highest mark since 1999, despite concerns that the coronavirus and election fatigue would keep voters home.
A fourth election, a right-wing-bloc victory, a minority government or Likud rebellion against Benjamin Netanyahu ... some of the possible scenarios as Israelis head to the polls yet again.
