Israel Heads into New Year Without Government, New Elections in March By Phillip Howard

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, both failed at forming a government, prompting Israel is set to hold new elections in the beginning of next year. This will follow two elections this year and seek to end a long party and leadership dispute that thrust Israel into political turmoil.

Both sides have agreed to try to avoid an outcome similar to past results, but neither side has comprised core demands or agreed to some sort of power-sharing agreement.

Photo by  Amir Levy/Getty

“The entire decision-making apparatus has been stalled and that has ample implications across the board,” said Yohanan Plesner, president of the non-partisan Israel Democracy Institute. “Israelis are frustrated as a result of the fact that there is no decisive outcome. But there is also an understanding that [Israel is] in a very unique and unprecedented situation where a prime minister, who is very popular within his own constituency, is also being indicted with very severe crimes.”

Netanyahu’s indictment for charges on bribery and fraud charges has corresponded with support in his own party slowly waning. He is the longest-serving PM in Israeli history.

Netanyahu’s party, Likud, and other right-wing parties, have refused to support him in the next round of elections. Gideon Saar, former interior minister, has challenged his party leadership. Saar is campaigning as a viable alternative to help break the current political stalemate, securing several Likud endorsements along the way.

Photo by Avigdor Lieberman

 The second challenge for Netanyahu is Avigdor Lieberman, a former ally and head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party. Currently Lieberman’s party controls eight seats in the Knesset that are pivotal in forming a government. Lieberman is still refusing to support either Netanyahu or Gantz, instead calling for the two major parties to resolve their disputes.

Likud will hold internal elections on December 26. Israel’s next election is expected on March 2.

 Phillip Howard is a graduate student at Utica College