Netanyahu won the election but there are many obstacles on the way to become PM, allies are demanding ‘real power’
The right-wing Religious Zionism Party shocked everyone in the final results of the vote count. The Religious Zionism Party has emerged as the third largest party by winning 14 seats this time.
A coalition of right-wing religious parties led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged victorious in the Israeli elections held on November 1. The right-wing bloc has won a landslide victory in Israel’s general elections, capturing 64 of the 120 seats in parliament. Along with this, Netanyahu, who has been the country’s longest-serving prime minister, is set to return to power after some hiatus. Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party won 32 seats in parliament, while outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid won 24 seats. In a few days, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will invite Netanyahu to form the government.
Ultra-religious forces will add to Netanyahu’s difficulties
This government will also include the country’s ultra-religious forces that could exacerbate Israel’s problems in many areas. Netanyahu’s Likud party now has 32 members in the Knesset (Israeli parliament). His ally, the religious Zionist Party, has 14 MPs, making it the third largest party in the Knesset. The parties with which Netanyahu ran in coalition are considered ultra-religious parties. In addition to the Religious Zionist Party and its extremist, Otzma Yehudit faction, Netanyahu ran with the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party (11 MPs), the United Torah Judaism Party (7 MPs). Of these, the Otzma Yehudit group is led by Itamar Ben-Gavir. The group has often incited violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
How will Netanyahu control Itamar Ben-Gavir?
Itamar Ben-Gavir was convicted of inciting racism, obstructing the duty of a police officer and supporting the terrorist organization Kutch Movement. In May 2021, he was accused by the police commissioner of fanning the flames of violence between Jews and Arabs in mixed cities such as Lod and Acre.
A cause for concern for many organizations and progressives is that the Religious Zionist Party openly calls for the imposition of religious laws, Israeli rule over the West Bank, and the expulsion of “disloyal” Palestinian citizens from Israel. This party incites Muslims by calling for the demolition of Al-Aqsa Mosque. This mosque is one of the holiest places in Islam. The party wants to build a Jewish temple at this place.
Signaling the start of a new “intifada”.
Mansour Abbas, chairman of the Islamist Arab Ram Party, has warned that if Jews are allowed to pray at the site, war will break out. It is known that Netanyahu has declared that the two-state solution has no place in his government’s agenda. Since Netanyahu’s announcement, Palestinians have lost hope for a peaceful solution and fear that the new government will be more aggressive and increase tensions between Israel and the Arabs. All this is preparing a recipe for violent conflict among Israelis and possibly pointing to the beginning of a new “intifada” (rebellion).
The screw will be stuck on the division of ministerial posts
It may also hinder the normalization and improvement of relations between Israel and the Gulf countries, which was achieved through the Abraham Accords. Netanyahu was the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history. But of course he may face difficulties in sharing ministerial posts with other coalition parties, where different parties demand specific portfolios to implement their policies.
Itamar Ben-Gavir said he wants to be the Minister of Internal Security. Through this department, Ben-Gavir wants to be in charge of the Israeli police and policies surrounding Jerusalem’s holy sites. His political partner, Bijel Smotrich, said he wants the Defense Ministry, which oversees Israel’s policy in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Netanyahu has tried to persuade him to take other ministerial posts to avoid conflict with the US administration and powerful Jewish groups in the US. According to press reports, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee and a well-known supporter of Israel, has indicated to Netanyahu that forming a government with extremists like Ben Gever could “seriously strain relations with Washington.” .
The US lawmaker warned Netanyahu
Several American Jewish groups, such as the American Jewish Committee, the Reform Party and J Street, have expressed concern over the results of the Israeli election and the possible inclusion of Ben-Gavir in the government. Many European leaders welcomed Netanyahu’s return to power, while the Biden administration congratulated Netanyahu on his election victory, despite its previous differences with him.
The right-wing Religious Zionism Party shocked everyone in the final results of the vote count. The Religious Zionism Party has emerged as the third largest party by winning 14 seats this time. The Arab-majority parties Hadash-Tal and the United Arab List won five seats each, but the breakaway Balad party failed to secure 3.25 percent of the vote to enter the Knesset (Parliament).
