Summary
Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, along with his right-wing ultranational bloc, emerges as the largest faction in Israel's recent elections, but still falls short of the 61 seats needed for a majority government. With 54 seats reported for Netanyahu and 49 for opposition leader Gadi Eisencott, the political landscape remains fragmented. The surge in Arab voter turnout, resulting in at least 17 seats for Arab parties, complicates coalition-building efforts, as Netanyahu has dismissed the possibility of these parties playing a kingmaker role.
The election results have led to a deadlock, with both main blocs unable to form a government. President Isaac Herzog will soon begin consultations with party leaders to determine who has the best chance of forming a coalition. However, there is skepticism about whether a national unity government can be established, given the animosity between Netanyahu and Eisencott and the reluctance of right-wing parties to ally with Arab factions.
Allegations of election bribery linked to foreign influence have surfaced, further intensifying the political crisis. Netanyahu's claims of election theft by Arab parties have sparked accusations of incitement from opposition groups. As the situation unfolds, the possibility of new elections in the spring looms, with Netanyahu potentially benefiting from the current stalemate and any future conflict involving Iran, which could bolster his standing among voters.
Show Notes
Defying pre-election predictions, and even exit polls, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud and his right-wing ultra nationalist bloc is set to have the biggest number of seats in the 120 seat Knesset but will not reach a majority.
In this week’s Israel election, with few votes yet to be counted, he has 54 seats, while newcomer Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc has 49. Neither is on track to reach the 61 seats needed for a majority government.
But post-election negotiations to create a coalition are the norm in Israel – no party has ever won a majority – and there is a bloc of seats that would get either party over the line. Arab parties have won an unprecedented 17 seats following a surge in voting.
In many other countries, as coalition horse trading commences, they would now be kingmakers.
But both Netanyahu and Eisenkot made it a firm pre-election promise that they wouldn’t go into coalition with an Arab party so does that make an election re-rerun inevitable and who would that suit?
Why was there an historically large turnout? Why were the polls so wrong about Netanyahu’s prospects?
And what difference would it make to the world if either Netanyahu or Eisenkot were able to cobble together a new government for Isreal?
Mark Weiss reports from Jerusalem.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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