Expert: Israeli election results leave Israel facing 5 scenarios

Political expert Wadi Abu Nasar announced that the inconclusive results of the parliamentary (Knesset) elections held on Tuesday leave Israel facing five potential political scenarios. Describing the situation in an interview with Anadolu, Abu Nasar characterized it as a crisis that will not end before new elections are held soon, noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu鈥檚 camp secured 53 seats compared to 48 for the opposition and 19 for Arab parties, after 91 percent of votes were counted.

Government Formation Scenarios

Abu Nasar clarified that the first scenario involves forming a stable or narrow government led by Gadi Eisenkot, with the participation or support of Arab parties, noting that this requires courage from Eisenkot and his opposition colleagues. The second scenario is forming a unity government headed by Netanyahu鈥檚 Likud party and Eisenkot鈥檚 Yesh Atid party, a solution encouraged by President Isaac Herzog and close associates of US President Donald Trump, despite Eisenkot鈥檚 pledge not to sit in a government led by Netanyahu.

Netanyahu鈥檚 Scenarios and Return to Elections

In the same context, the expert pointed out that the third scenario may involve Netanyahu attempting to split the opposition ranks by absorbing its MPs in exchange for positions, or launching a war on Iran to impose a unity government under the guise of emergency. The fourth scenario consists of forming a transitional government that prevents Netanyahu from continuing as a caretaker government, which could pave the way for establishing an official investigation committee into the October 7, 2023 attack.

Abu Nasar added that the fifth scenario is returning to elections in case the deadlock continues, an option undesirable for President Herzog and many party leaders. Consultations with winning parties are scheduled to begin immediately following the announcement of official results next week, where Netanyahu will pressure to be the first tasked with forming the government, as his party is the largest in the Knesset.

Source: Anadolu Agency