What’s not on the ballot in Israel: Peace

Key Points:

• The upcoming Israeli election on October 27 features Israel’s Arab minority, about 20% of voters, who could play a decisive role in choosing the prime minister, yet the Gaza war and Palestinian issues have been largely absent from campaign debates.
• Both Arab and Jewish political parties have avoided discussing the future of Jewish-Arab relations, the two-state solution, or President Trump’s peace proposals, focusing instead on domestic issues and personal rivalries, particularly Netanyahu’s leadership.
• Netanyahu’s opponents criticize him for failing to prevent the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, but do not offer clear alternatives on peace or security policy, while Netanyahu accuses rivals of being too conciliatory toward Arab parties.
• The trauma of the October 7 attack and a perceived rightward shift in Israeli public opinion have marginalized discussions about peace with Palestinians, with polls showing overwhelming Jewish-Israeli support for military action and security measures.
• Analysts warn that without renewed efforts toward a two-state solution, Israel risks increasing diplomatic isolation and strained relations with traditional allies in Europe and the U.S., despite political hesitancy to address the issue amid current tensions.