Occupation army declares highest alert ahead of parliamentary elections tomorrow

The Israeli occupation army announced a state of maximum alert across all levels today, Monday, ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday. Occupation media reported that “amid fears of a security escalation and attempts by Iran and various organizations to carry out a surprise attack or operations, a state of maximum alert has been declared across all sectors.” The army stated that it has reinforced its forces, raised the readiness level of the air force and defense systems, and imposed leave restrictions on its units, coinciding with large-scale military exercises in the northern and central regions involving air force units.

The vote in these elections is expected to result in the election of the 120 members of the Knesset (parliament) under a proportional representation system, where voting is conducted for party lists. Following the elections, consultations will begin to appoint one of the members to form a government and seek parliamentary support to obtain a vote of confidence.

Thirty-seven electoral lists are competing for seats in the Knesset. The number of eligible voters is approximately 7 million, including more than 1.22 million Arabs, who constitute 16.5 percent of the electorate, according to a report by the Palestinian Center for Israeli Studies (Madar). In its report, Madar summarized the stance of the Joint List after the elections under two points: “First, to prevent Netanyahu from forming a government led by him and including extremist parties, and second, their absolute refusal to join any government formed, as it would be an occupation and settlement government.”

Among the prominent lists participating in the elections are Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu; Yamina, an alliance between the Yesh Atid party led by Yair Lapid and the party of Naftali Bennett; Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman; Jewish Power, headed by the extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir; and Religious Zionism, led by current Finance Minister in the occupation government, Bezalel Smotrich.

Two Arab lists are participating in the elections: the United Arab List, led by Mansour Abbas and affiliated with the Southern Branch of the Islamic Movement, and the Joint List, which includes three parties: the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, the National Democratic Assembly, and the Arab Movement for Change.

These elections come three years after the October 7 operation carried out by Hamas in settlements established on the territory of the Gaza Strip, which the Netanyahu government responded to with a war of extermination. Netanyahu faces sharp criticism for his government’s failure to prevent the October 7 operation, amid calls for the establishment of an official and independent inquiry commission. According to opinion polls conducted in recent weeks, neither of the two major blocs is expected to succeed in obtaining a majority to form a government, meaning that negotiations to form a governing coalition could last for a long time, as the law stipulates that forming a government requires the support of at least 61 members. (End) N.Q. / N.B.S.