Arab Parties Could Hold the Key to Israel’s Next Government

With neither side in a position to secure an outright majority in Israel’s parliamentary election, Arab parties could play a crucial role in negotiations to form the next government. According to election projections, Arab parties could win 19 seats. Their role could therefore prove significant in determining whether the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or the opposition camp led by Gadi Eisenkot succeeds in forming a government.

Anthony Loewenstein, an independent journalist and author of The Palestine Laboratory, told Al Jazeera that Palestinian citizens of Israel had turned out to vote in this election. In his view, the areas where they live have suffered extensive damage in recent years. At the same time, despite rising crime rates in Arab-majority areas, the state’s response has been inadequate.

Mr. Loewenstein said his Palestinian friends in Israel were not particularly optimistic about the available political alternatives. However, they might find alternative leadership more acceptable than another four years under Netanyahu.

Discussing the possibility of an alliance between Arab parties and Mr. Eisenkot, Mr. Loewenstein said such a partnership was not impossible. The main question, however, was whether Mr. Eisenkot and his allies would be willing to accept Arab parties as participants in the government.

Citing differences in values, Mr. Eisenkot has so far ruled out the possibility of forming a government with Arab parties. Whether he changes his position during post-election negotiations could therefore become an important factor. According to Mr. Loewenstein, forming a government with Arab parties’ support might be possible, but there are doubts about whether such an alliance would last.

In Israel’s 120-member parliament, a government generally requires the support of at least 61 members. When neither side reaches that threshold, coalition support and political agreements become crucial to government formation. In this situation, which side the Arab parties ultimately support could influence the formation of Israel’s next government.

Source: Al Jazeera