"Form a Coalition Government Including Arab Parties"...Will Israel's Centrist Experiment Succeed?

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Party and rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is attempting to form a coalition government that includes parties ranging from the far-right to Arab parties. Attention is focused on whether Prime Minister Netanyahu, who declared victory in the general election, will ultimately relinquish power.

According to the Israeli daily Haaretz on the 9th (local time), Gantz is entering coalition negotiations with the 'Joint List,' a coalition of Arab parties. During a meeting with Ayman Odeh, leader of the Joint List, Gantz said, "We must avoid a fourth general election." He plans to meet with parties belonging to the Joint List on the 10th to discuss coalition options.

Odeh stated on Twitter, "We must focus on the goal of replacing Prime Minister Netanyahu," adding, "The beginning will be for Arab and Jewish parties to raise a united voice."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Israel has been in severe political turmoil, holding three general elections within the past year. This is because no political faction has secured a majority of seats necessary to form a coalition government despite elections held in April and September last year, and on the 2nd of this month.

Initially, in this election, the Likud Party secured 36 seats (out of a total of 120), making it the clear first party. Consequently, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared victory. However, the total seats of parties agreeing to a coalition led by Netanyahu amount to only 58, falling short of a majority.

Having failed to defeat Netanyahu in the past three elections, Gantz is now pursuing a coalition under a centrist banner that unites both pro-Arab and far-right parties within Israel.

To this end, Gantz also discussed coalition formation with Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the far-right party Israel Beiteinu, in the central Israeli city of Ramat Gan.

If Gantz manages to unite all political factions except those supporting Netanyahu's coalition, he can secure 62 seats. However, both Israeli and major international media remain skeptical about the possibility of coexistence between the Joint List, representing Arab interests, and far-right parties. The Washington Post (WP) analyzed that other Israeli parties would find it difficult to accept not only Arab parties' participation in government but also situations where Arab parties hold the casting vote on legislation.

Not all parties within the Joint List agree to join the coalition. For example, the Balad Party, part of the Joint List, is known to oppose, stating that "Gantz is no different from Netanyahu."

Even if coalition negotiations progress, there is a possibility that far-right parties like Israel Beiteinu and members of the Blue and White Party may rebel and leave the coalition. Nevertheless, Gantz is persuading them, citing reasons such as the need to prevent Netanyahu's return to power.

Prime Minister Netanyahu was indicted last year on charges including bribery, breach of trust, and fraud, and is scheduled to face a formal trial on the 17th.

The Likud Party has opposed Gantz's coalition attempt, calling it a "terror against democracy." They criticized Gantz's coalition efforts, stating that some Arab parties are currently under trial for supporting Israel's enemies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.