Netanyahu’s loss divides Israel: ‘A return is not ruled out’

The new government, whose eight ideologically different parties are distinguished, immediately begins with a shaky equilibrium.

The minimum majority in Parliament of 60 seats, 59 seats offered by the Bennett government, according to its correspondent Tess Brooke, is comparable to the division in the country. The response was very different.

There was a celebration, but Netanyahu’s supporters held their breath over Israel’s future. “He’s seen as the experienced guy,” Brooke explains. “As a leader who has protected the country for the past twelve years. Having to clear the field creates uncertainty for them.”

gain confidence

Netanyahu’s supporters are spread across the country, especially in the working class. “Many of them see Netanyahu as the only one who can protect Israel on the world stage from the enemies of the Jewish state.”

It is up to the new government to quickly win the trust of the people. An important step is setting a budget. “It took a long time to do that,” Brooke says. There has been no well-functioning government in Israel since 2019, causing projects to stall.

The new government wants to change that quickly. Bennett will focus on investments in areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Hating Netanyahu as a binding factor

With Bennett, Israel has a right-wing prime minister more politically and ideologically than Netanyahu. But because of alliance divisions, issues such as the conflict with the Palestinians and the relationship between religion and state will not be high on the agenda, says Brooke.

However, the situation ensures that Bennett cannot ignore it. “For example, a march of nationalist Israelis through East Jerusalem has already been planned for tomorrow. A newly established Israeli settlement is scheduled to be evacuated in the Palestinian territories. Bennett has many supporters among these settlers, but the left-wing parties are behind the evacuation. This makes it complicated.”

Netanyahu’s role is not over yet. “Any party can leave the coalition, within parliament they can lose the minimum majority. Anything can happen. But so far, Netanyahu’s alienation within the coalition has been a common compelling factor.”

Return is not excluded

Then there is the case against Netanyahu, who is accused of corruption. “In the past he was able to delay it, saying he didn’t have time because he had to lead the country. He couldn’t use that excuse anymore.”

If convicted, the political life baby past. But Netanyahu has already proven that he can return from a defeated position. “In 1999 he lost the election, but ten years later he became prime minister again. He’s 71, so it shouldn’t take another ten years, but a comeback is definitely not out of the question.”