Israel’s political complexity is unimaginable. Benjamin Netanyahu is the only man who holds it together. This coalition consists of Arab, conservative, and liberal parties. It was formed last January to defeat Netanyahu with Yair Levipid as its leader.
Many are against the former prime minister, who is also accused of corruption. Because Netanyahu’s hatred is all that unites them, the governing coalition collapsed after a few months.
Netanyahu’s Likud coalition is a mixture of conservatives as well as ultra-conservative religious groups. In the past, Netanyahu has been skilled in creating coalition governments.
This is Israel’s fifth election in three years. Even the most passionate of political junkies will feel overwhelmed.
Wall Street Journal:
Mr. Netanyahu has campaigned against the last government, the first in Israel’s history to include an independent Arab party, saying it included members sympathetic to terrorists. The coalition fell apart in under a year as members clashed over policies related to West Bank settlements, Palestinians, and questions of religion and state.
The election will be decided by who can increase voter turnout. Analysts believe that Mr. Netanyahu is the victor because the four parties in his bloc have been predicted to win comfortably 3.25%. Votes from parties receiving less than 3.25 percent of the vote are disregarded.
According to Israel Hayom, the three anti-Netanyahu parties are in the political danger zone. Mr. Netanyahu’s bloc is certain to win the majority.
One politician could be a kingmaker. Benny Gantz is the Israeli Defense Minister and heads the National Unity Party. According to polls, they are likely to win between 11-12 seats. They could also use this strength to form a coalition government with Netanyahu under rotating leadership. This is exactly the arrangement Mr. Lapid had with Naftali Bennett (former Prime Minister). It collapsed.
Or Gantz could remain as defense minister under a Lapid regime. He could also hold the whip in any coalition that he joins.
Netanyahu made the decision to join the two most controversial parties in Israel, which are led by men who don’t seem very friendly with Palestinians.
Itamar Ben–Gvir, a member of the radical right Otzma Yehudit Party and a follower of Rabbi Kahane from the far-right Religious Zionist Party is likely to give Netanyahu victory. It would also cost Netanyahu votes.
It’s possible that the election will decide by a few votes from minor parties This will be Netanyahu’s chance to exact vengeance on those who tried to kill him for more than 20 years.
