Understanding the elections in Israel

On April 9, Israeli citizens will go to the polls to elect the 120 members of parliament whose Prime Minister will be elected. The elections were scheduled for November, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to move them forward in the hope of securing his reelection and a clear majority.. The proportional distribution system encourages the participation of multiple parties and complicates the formation of a majority to govern.

Voters will choose from a myriad of options from right to center, religious, left and Arab parties. The Likud, led by Netanyahu, represents the axis on which all right-wing parties will meet, while the blue-and-white alliance (Kahol Lavan) is made up of the party led by Benny Gantz, former commander-in-chief of the Defense Forces. . and Yesh Atid, led by Yair Lapid. Gantz situates the alliance on the right in security, liberal in economics and on the left in social and human rights. The polls indicate a parity between these two options that must be added to the smaller parties to reach the majority and elect the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, aged 69, hopes to retain his power to get a fifth term and become prime minister with more years. The accusations of corruption and authoritarianism have not affected its popularity and continue to be the favorites of the highest office.. He did not hesitate to propose an alliance and two positions in his future cabinet to the Habayit Hayehudi party, whose founder was Rabbi Kahane, banned in 1988 for encouraging racism, violence and the expulsion of Muslims. Arabs of Israel.

The Israeli electorate also reflects a crack. The Citizenship Law pbaded in July 2018 establishing the Jewish character of the State and Hebrew as an official language deepens the division between liberals and "nationals". The former focus on democracy and equality, while the latter defend identity to ensure their survival and future negotiations with the Palestinians. Netanyahu also accused his opponent of promoting a coalition with the Arab parties; Kahol Lavan had to deny these accusations and emphasize his Zionist position. Citizens of Arab origin represent 17% of the electorate.

Over the last ten years, the economy has grown continuously, with the exception of 2008 and 2014. In 2016, it grew by 4%; 3.5% in 2017 and 3.2% in 2018. Per capita income is $ 40,200. GDP growth is acceptable for a mature economy based on a high-productivity industrial structure and a steady flow of investment. Although the controversy between the parties concerns problems of income distribution and health and education expenditures, the main discord is the future of the occupied territories during the 1967 war.

The current Prime Minister has managed to forge special ties with President Donald Trump, who had promised the agreement of the century. The United States appears as the main negotiator with the Palestinian Authority. Trump instructed his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to develop a peace plan and appointed David Melech Friedman ambbadador. Kushner and Friedman do not have diplomatic diplomas. Trump's statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resume his management of international relations. The decision to move the embbady to Jerusalem and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights are trying to stress and humiliate the adversary so that he negotiates better. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called American actions a slap and demanded the acceptance of the initiative proposed by the Arab League in 2002 to recognize the existence of the state of Israel. Israel in exchange for its return to the 1967 borders.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress that the peace plan would be presented after the elections and said he did not take into account the old parameters of settlements or the capital; He declined to answer on the viability of two states.

US support and disclosure of a peace plan are enough to maintain the balance of power in Israel. Netanyahu could not ignore this development and a change in the composition of Parliament would add uncertainty. Everything indicates that Netanyahu will remain in history as the president who will spend the most time as head of the Israeli government.

The author is a former ambbadador and international badyst.