A Jewish Currents Guide to the Israeli Elections

Key Points:

• The upcoming Israeli election is unlikely to bring significant change regarding the occupation and treatment of Palestinians, as both Netanyahu's bloc and the opposition largely agree on these core issues, with the main difference being the potential removal of far-right figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from power.
• Palestinian political leader Sami Abu Shehadeh was disqualified from running by a campaign supported across the Zionist political spectrum, marking a precedent in excluding Palestinian candidates and highlighting systemic discrimination within Israel’s democratic process.
• The election is expected to result in a fragmented Knesset with no clear majority, likely leading to coalition negotiations or possibly another election, as both Netanyahu’s bloc and the opposition bloc are polling around 50 seats each, with Palestinian parties holding a crucial balance.
• Coalition formation is complicated by internal divisions, particularly over cooperation with Palestinian parties, with many centrist and right-wing leaders unwilling to partner with Palestinian representatives, increasing the chances of political instability or repeated elections.
• The campaign has been marked by a surge in sophisticated AI-generated political videos, many with racist content, and widespread conspiracy theories, contributing to a polarized political climate and eroding trust in democratic institutions in Israel.