Israeli Knesset member Gila Kariv called on Wednesday for the "quick" removal of Benjamin Netanyahu from the premiership, following the US Democratic Party's victory in the midterm congressional elections. Preliminary results showed Democrats gaining ground over Republicans in the midterm renewal.
In this context, Kariv's call – the deputy for the opposition "Democrats" party – came before the announcement of the final results of the Knesset elections held on October 27, which did not grant any blocs a majority to form a government.
Impact of US Elections
Kariv wrote on Facebook: "The blue tsunami in the United States clearly and unequivocally shows that continuing Netanyahu's rule, and continuing the annexation policy pursued by (far-right Finance Minister) Bezalel Smotrich, will cause serious damage to Israel's existential interests." Kariv refers to the "blue tsunami" as the electoral gains of the US Democratic Party, symbolized by the color blue.
He added: "There is a mainstream current in US politics, supported by both parties, that can be worked with to preserve the special relationship between Israel and the United States." He added: "But this will not happen under a far-right government led by Netanyahu and Smotrich, nor under a nominal unity government that dictates its policies."
Criticism of Netanyahu
The Knesset member stressed that "Netanyahu must be removed from the position of Prime Minister, and quickly." In another post on the "X" platform, he said: "Netanyahu has destroyed relations with the Democratic (US) Party and with half of the Republican Party, and he should not continue to lead the State of Israel."
He added: "Anyone who continues to talk this morning about unity with Netanyahu does not understand the election results in Israel, nor does he understand the election results in the United States." Kariv's comments come amid consultations to form a new Israeli government, after Netanyahu's camp won 53 seats in the October 27 elections, compared to 48 for the opposition camp led by Gadi Eisenkot and 19 for Arab parties.
Government Formation Scenarios
Sources stated that neither camp has reached the required majority to form a government, which is 61 seats out of 120. Among the proposed scenarios is the formation of a unity government bringing together Netanyahu and opposition figures, an option rejected by Kariv.
Smotrich, leader of the far-right "Religious Zionism" party and Netanyahu's ally, calls for annexing the occupied West Bank to Israel and expanding settlements there. In February, Smotrich announced that his goals in the next government include canceling the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians and imposing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, steps aimed at ending the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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