Will Arab Presence Transform into Political Influence?

In the Israeli system, the outgoing prime minister continues to serve during the negotiation period, which may last weeks or months, while retaining broad powers, including those over military affairs. The process of forming a government may take approximately 42 days, possibly followed by additional rounds. If all attempts fail, the Knesset will be dissolved, and new elections will be held within three months.

It is evident that the scenario of political tension persists, and I do not rule out the formation of a fragile coalition government that could collapse immediately. I do not believe there will be any form of alliance with Arab parties in the coming phase.

According to the results and the current reality, complications are significant, and the negotiation rounds will be fraught with tension, implying a failure to be tasked with forming the government. Will Knesset elections be held again? Will they resort to forming an interim government?

It should be noted that the two Arab lists securing nineteen seats represents one of the most significant outcomes of the elections, given the political implications stemming from Palestinian suffering under Netanyahu’s tenure, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. This has exposed the racist face of the Zionist entity to the entire world, and the Israeli citizen has become ashamed to declare his nationality in Europe and other countries.

In reality, neither Zionist side will allow this, but what has occurred so far constitutes a Palestinian success and an important electoral achievement. It is worth noting that there is a common line between the two competing parties regarding their policies toward Palestinians.

Therefore, Gaza will remain the greatest test, whether through escalating the conflict or pursuing a political track, following the war on Gaza, which revealed an explicit intention to expand and establish military and field control, aiming to translate this into political legitimacy. Consequently, the occupying state faces a major dilemma if the team opposing Netanyahu secures victory. Withdrawal without any political agreement regarding Gaza and the Strip could open the door to new disputes, potentially escalating into conflict, particularly concerning the Palestinian resistance’s weapons and border security. The bet is difficult, as it remains unclear whether there is a political force genuinely prepared to undertake a project that guarantees the right to self-determination. Therefore, it is likely that we will see delays and maneuvering to prevent the settlement project from halting, at best. The Zionist entity is an explicit occupation, and its principles are beyond dispute. This is one aspect. As for the borders witnessing continuous flare-ups, whether from the Lebanese or Syrian side, the danger will persist. The past years have taught us that any ceasefire agreement has never been anything but a pause to catch one’s breath and plan for another war. As for Syria, it will remain subject to the gambles of several states, as the Zionist entity constantly fears the transfer of weapons. In Syria, Israeli calculations intersect with regional ones. Will there be security understanding with Damascus? Or will efforts continue to impose expansion by force?

Both possibilities are subject to extreme difficulty in light of the regional reality. This is the Zionist entity, which has been and remains the source of affliction in the Middle East. This is why the Arab public is interested in the election results. Everyone is tired of Netanyahu’s arrogance, and perhaps each of us is seeking a glimmer of hope to at least return matters to the stage of political work, away from killing and the shedding of innocent blood. Therefore, we must be realistic and not exaggerate the implications of these elections. However, our Arab presence and stance remain important and necessary.