In Israel, a political agenda full of successive statements, put forward scenarios and uncertainty is experienced after no group could reach the 61 seats required to form a government in the parliamentary elections held on Tuesday with record participation and the final results of which have not yet been announced.
In the first election held in Israel since the Gaza genocide began on October 7, 2023, the counting of all ballot boxes was completed yesterday, except for the votes called "double envelopes" of voters who cannot vote in their own ballot boxes, such as soldiers, diplomats and prisoners. The opened ballot boxes correspond to approximately 85 percent of the total votes.
In the election with record participation, where 77 percent of 7.3 million voters went to the polls, the ruling bloc led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had 53 deputies, and the opposition bloc led by former Chief of General Staff Gadi Eisenkot had 48 deputies.
According to the official results announced so far but are not final, Arab parties representing Palestinian Israeli citizens have reached a record number of seats, sending 19 deputies to the Parliament, and are therefore in a key position in the search for an alliance.
In Israel's 120-seat parliament, a minimum absolute majority of 61 seats is required to form a government, but according to the latest table, neither the ruling bloc led by Netanyahu nor the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot could reach this number of seats.
If both blocks cannot reach a sufficient majority for a coalition in the elections; Although the renewal of elections seems like a slimming possibility, three scenarios stand out, such as Eisenkot forming a coalition with Arab parties or a national unity government.
While Israeli politics was in such an impasse after the election, the message of cooperation with the opposition against Netanyahu from the Arab parties, which had a record success in the ballot box, attracted attention.
The Joint Arab List and the United Arab List, representing Palestinian Israeli citizens, achieved a total of 19 seats, reaching the highest level of representation in the Parliament so far and becoming a key position for the formation of a government.
The Joint Arab List stated that the Arab community responded to the "government of massacres, policies of destruction, racism and war crimes" at the ballot box, and announced that they were ready to cooperate with the opposition to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and establish an alternative government.
According to the Joint Arab List, although the election results have not yet been finalized, available data show that the high turnout of the Arab community contributed to Netanyahu and his supporters not reaching the majority required to form a government.
The Joint Arab List also stated in its statement that they would use the power given to them by the voters "to prevent the re-establishment of Netanyahu's government."
In the statement, it was stated that they were ready to cooperate to pave the way for an alternative government, and it was emphasized that the opposition bloc should present a real political alternative, not exclude the Arab society and its representatives, and adhere to the demands and rights of the society.
On the other hand, the statement of Gadi Eisenkot, the opposition leader in Israel and Netanyahu's closest rival, that they would establish a "Zionist military government" was interpreted as a message that he would not cooperate with Arab parties.
Making a statement on the X account, Eisenkot said, "We are focusing on the heavy responsibility of bringing about change in Israel and establishing a Zionist military government." he said.
Arguing that the government they aim to establish reflects the will of the people, Eisenkot continued as follows:
"The people have shown that they do not trust the October 7 government (Netanyahu) and those who avoid military service. The political bloc formed by those who avoid military service in general is at its lowest level in the last 20 years."
Explaining that the trust of hundreds of thousands of Israelis who support him carries a great responsibility, Eisenkot said, "I feel the weight of the trust of hundreds of thousands of women and men who believe in Israel and Zionism in me and the responsibility that comes with it." made his assessment.
Addressing his supporters, Eisenkot said, "Thanks to you, we have made history. In just one year, we have established a new party in Israel that brings together Israelis. This party constitutes a worthy and responsible alternative to the government. For you and for your benefit, we will fulfill the great task before us. We will work and succeed. I promise you this." he said.
Eisenkot's use of the phrase "Zionist military service" was interpreted as a message that he would not cooperate with Arab parties.
Opposition Democrats Party leader Yair Golan said that he was against the formation of a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party, and that similar attempts in the past "ended in a huge fiasco."
Making a statement to Israeli state television KAN, Golan stated that he expects his party to be represented in the parliament with 8 deputies after all the votes are counted.
While Golan stated that "Netanyahu will be sent home" with the election results and "no business will be done with him", he emphasized that similar attempts in the past "ended in a huge fiasco".
In his statement on the X account regarding the election results in Israel, Golan announced that he would meet with other party leaders in the opposition bloc.
Golan pointed out that the opposition bloc and the parties representing Israeli Palestinians have reached a sufficient number in total to form the government and said:
"The people had their say. With 67 seats, the majority of the Israeli public demanded change. I plan to try every way, work in every way and do everything necessary to implement the will of the voters and ensure the establishment of a government of change and salvation for Israel."
Benny Gantz, the former leader of the opposition in Israel and leader of the Blue and White Party, was criticized for his support for the Netanyahu government.
Gantz announced that he was withdrawing from the race 8 days before the elections after the polls showed that his party would fall below the threshold.
