The recent elections in Israel, considered a historical turning point, witnessed unprecedented participation from the citizens of this country. In these elections, Benjamin Netanyahu, the former and seasoned Prime Minister, was able to continue in his position with the strong support of the majority of Israeli Jews. While these results have increased concerns in neighboring countries and internationally, analysts believe that these elections could have profound effects on the political and social situation in the Middle East.
Election Results and Regional Reactions
With nearly 86 percent of the votes counted, Israeli media predicted that Netanyahu's bloc, consisting of right-wing and hardline parties, secured 53 seats out of 120 in the Knesset. Meanwhile, the rival bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot only obtained 48 seats. The results of this election, especially following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251, have caused serious concerns internationally.
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Concerns in Neighboring Countries
In Egypt, 62-year-old lawyer Othman Selim referred to Netanyahu's defeat as an opportunity for the country to distance itself from extremism, stating that his hopes for this outcome have been dashed. In Gaza, Majid Jundia, a Palestinian refugee, emphasized that both sides are only seeking the destruction of the Palestinian nation without distinguishing between Netanyahu and Eisenkot.
This war in Gaza, which has led to widespread destruction and the deaths of over 74,000 Palestinians, has severely isolated Israel on the global stage, and U.S. President Biden has also addressed criticisms of this situation. Analysts believe that although Netanyahu has won this election, he will face serious challenges both domestically and internationally.
In Lebanon, 81-year-old Camille Haddad, who has witnessed years of Israel's conflicts with its neighbors, expressed that he does not expect any changes and believes that the victory of either rival will not affect his situation.
Netanyahu, who has faced criticism for security failures prior to the Hamas attack, has positioned himself as the only leader capable of protecting the country. He has pointed to his actions aimed at destroying Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, claiming that these actions have improved the security of Israel and the world.
While Netanyahu has lost the majority of his bloc in the Knesset, his rivals have no hope of ousting him without a rare agreement to accept broad support from Arab parties; something that many Jewish leaders reject. Even if such an agreement is reached, Netanyahu will remain as caretaker during coalition negotiations.
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