Israel’s General Election Result Explained: Part 2
We are reporting on the outcome of the Israeli election, almost two months after it was held (on 1 November). That’s because it has taken this long for a new government to be announced.
In Part 1 we looked at the context and outcome of the election – overall, and then in some detail.
Here we look at some key personalities who will take up key roles in the new Coalition government of Israel, and things to watch out for in the coming period.
NETANYAHU’S NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT
Benjamin Netanyahu is the new Prime Minister and leader of the Coalition Cabinet. He has been Prime Minister of Israel continuously since 2009, with the exception of the period previous to this election, June 2021-December 2022, when Naftali Bennet, and then his coalition partner Yair Lapid was (briefly) Prime Minister. Netanyahu was previously Prime Minister 2003-06.
Netanyahu is currently being tried on corruption charges. Either he, or his coalition allies, may seek to get those charges set aside, or the process nullified by vote in the Knesset.
Bezalel Smotrich is expected to be given responsibility, possibly by way of acting as an ‘independent’ minister in the Defence Ministry, for day to day running of civilian aspects of the West Bank, including settlements and Palestinian construction. Smotrich is publicly committed to annexation of the West Bank.
Itamar Ben-Gvir is expected to become the new Minister for National Security with overall control of the Israeli police force, including para-military police operating in the OPTs. Ben-Gvir has a past conviction for racism and is often referred to as an ‘anti-Arab’ forebrand.
the Shas party will regain control of the Religious Services Ministry. Along with the other religious parties in the Coalition Shas is expected to push for the religious character of a range of public policies, and the laws underpinning the functioning of the State and Israeli society, to be intensified.
Avi Moaz who represents a one man party called Noam is rumoured to have been given control of a unit in the Prime Minister’s Office overseeing Israel’s ‘Jewish national identity’. Moaz campaigned on an anti LGBT platform.
THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Even before the election media and political pundits were speculating about the possible consequences of a coalition including far-right, extreme religious Zionist parties taking office. Among many issues highlighted, on many of which Smotrich and Ben Gvir in particular, have openly and unapologetically campaigned, are these:
Granting immunity from prosecution to security force personnel – mainly the Israel Defence Force - operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).
Expansion of illegal settlement building in the OPTs.
Repeal of LGBT+ laws to appease the religious parties, along with the introduction of new laws, possibly encompassing gender segregation and restrictions on Sabbath day working.
Limitations on the independence of the judiciary, including the power of the Supreme Court, and possible amendments to clauses in the constitution that prevent anyone with a criminal conviction from serving in public office.
Further restriction of the rights of non-Jewish Israeli citizens and enforced migration of Palestinians.
Ben-Gvir wants to give Jews the right to visit and pray on the Haram al Sharif (Temple Mount) and has threatened to visit himself – sparking fears of an explosive response like the one that followed Ariel Sharon’s infamous visit in September 2000 (which spark the second intifada).
Possible transfer of responsibility for the civil administration of the OPTs from the Ministry of Defence to the Finance Ministry led by Smotrich). This is perceived by some as akin to de facto annexation as the OPTs would no longer be designated as ‘occupied’.
It should be said that the new government has only just been announced. Ministers will not officially assume their new responsibilities until the final composition of the Cabinet is announced, probably early in the New Year. It is therefore too early to tell whether any of the speculation about the future direction of the new government and its policies will be borne out.
