In light of the recent news of the dissolution of the Knesset and Israel’s coalition government, plans for another election are already in the works for late October or early November. This election will be the fifth in under four years and leaves Israel vulnerable to further political instability, offering the chance for former long-time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return.
This disbanding of the Knesset is disappointing for many as the governing coalition and unity of numerous political opponents offered a broader and more representative political stance for the people of Israel. The coalition also presented the opportunity for constructive conversations for peace with Palestine and neighbouring Arab countries.
The Knesset and its dissolution
The coalition was comprised of eight ideologically disparate parties including an independent Arab party, a first in Israel’s history, and was formed after an extended period of political deadlock, ousting Netanyahu from power and uniting political opponents within a legislative body. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced the dissolution of the Knesset due to its increasingly fractious state, claiming “attempts to stabilise the coalition had been exhausted”. The elections were initially due to take place in late 2025, however this date has been brought forward, with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to act as Prime Minister in the interim. Recent defections and the loss of a majority in Parliament since April, alongside failure to pass the settlement policy in the occupied West Bank, have led to a coalition breakdown after the accumulation of differing opinions creating tensions and legislative stalemate.
Despite their short-term hold on office, the positives driven by the coalition must not be overlooked. Bennett succeeded in passing a national budget for the first time in three years as well as leading the country through two waves of the coronavirus without imposing a lockdown. The coalition also allowed for the improvement of foreign relations with Gulf Arab countries and the Biden administration before Bennett emerged as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war. Notably, the Islamic Ra’am party introduced greater rights for Arab citizens in Israel. Overall, this coalition showed that it was possible to look beyond the political, religious and ethnic differences within Israel, paving the way for greater unity and cooperation in the region, with Bennett concluding in his speech that the coalition had served its purpose and “Together we were able to pull Israel out from the hole”.
The potential return to power of Benjamin Netanyahu
The new election vote has the potential to allow the return of current opposition leader and former long-term Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Opinion polls have predicted that Netanyahu’s Likud party will emerge as the largest party, though it is unclear as to whether his support will be great enough to gain a majority within the Knesset. Due to the unicameral nature of the Knesset, forming a new government requires a majority from the 120 lawmakers.
There are two other key factors which could disrupt Netanyahu’s return to power. First, is the introduction of a bill limiting a prime minister’s time in office to eight years, proposed by Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar, a rival to Netanyahu. Second, is the push by members of the coalition, particularly Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, for legislation which would bar anyone under criminal indictment from heading a government. This bill would have huge implications for Netanyahu who is currently on trial for charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, all of which he vehemently denies. It is unclear whether either of these bills have enough parliament support to be passed.
What this election means for the future of Israel
The news of yet another election has come at a bad time for Israel which is facing increasing cost of living, a rise in conflict with the Palestinians and an escalation in the shadow war between Israel and Iran. Another coalition aiming to unite different political factions, particularly one including Netanyahu alongside politicians from other parties, looks unlikely due to continued tensions between political factions and Lieberman and Sa’ar already refusing to cooperate with Netanyahu. Ultimately who will take over the new leadership, the country’s political stability and what this means for the people of Israel is unclear at this point with noted decreased public optimism about the future of Israel’s democracy. One can only hope that these elections produce a successful outcome for peace and reconciliation for the region, moving towards a constructive peace process between Israel and Palestine rather than reverting back to more confrontational policies, similar to those imposed by Israel’s former governments in recent years.
