Israel’s election matters beyond its borders
Most polls suggest Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right and ultra-Orthodox coalition will lose its parliamentary majority in Tuesday’s election. Yet the opposition may also struggle to govern because most of its parties refuse to form a coalition with parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel. If that barrier is overcome, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot could lead a new centre-right government.
The author argues that such a change would not end Israel’s occupation or produce Palestinian statehood, which Eisenkot opposes. It could nevertheless remove Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from power, reverse the government’s judicial overhaul, restore merit-based public appointments and respond more firmly to settler attacks on Palestinians. A new administration might also suspend the E1 settlement project and pursue diplomacy more seriously alongside military policy in Lebanon, Syria and possibly Iran.
The article presents this as containment rather than transformation. A government less influenced by Netanyahu’s corruption trial and the far right might have agreed to a Gaza ceasefire sooner, improved humanitarian conditions, facilitated hostage releases and cooperated more readily with Donald Trump’s peace plan. Even limited change, the author concludes, could reduce regional tensions, protect democratic checks and create space for more substantial progress if international engagement continues.
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