One. Two. Three. Four… Five?
Following the recent March 23rd elections to the Israeli Knesset, the country’s fourth in two years, onlookers may feel a sense of deja vu. Since Israel is a multi-party state using a system of proportional representation, parties almost always have to enter into coalitions to form a governing majority of 61 or more seats. And with the results finalized, it appears increasingly improbable that a coalition meeting the aforementioned requirements can be formed. This would necessitate an unprecedented fifth election in Israel since the start of 2019.
The election was by and large regarded as a referendum on incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of the right-wing Likud party. Netanyahu has held the role of Prime Minister since 2009, after previously holding it for a few years in the late nineties. In 2020, he was indicted on multiple charges of corruption and faces trial this year. This has cemented Netanyahu’s status as a highly polarizing figure in Israel. When the Knesset narrowly failed to pass the Israeli budget last December, the legislative body was dissolved, fracturing a fragile coalition between Likud and the center-left Blue and White party, led by Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz. This development prompted a new election to be scheduled for within 90 days.
Israeli PM Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu
While past Israeli elections were marked by a right vs. left dynamic, this most recent one differed. In the wake of an implosion of center-left parties, the election shifted to a narrative of pro-Netanyahu vs. anti-Netanyahu parties. The pro-Netanyahu side, composed of right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties, has only 52 Knesset supporters. However, the anti-Netanyahu faction is ideologically divided, serving as an impasse to a possible coalition. A center-left contingent, headed by Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, has up to 50 MKs (member of the Knesset). Meanwhile, the right-wing opposition parties, with Yamina leader Naftali Bennett at the helm, possess up to 13 seats. What remains is Mansour Abbas of the United Arab List, who hold 5 seats and could possibly serve as king-makers. Yet with President Reuven Rivlin set to begin talks with the parties on Prime Minister recommendations today (April 5th), no potential faction has enough support to form a majority.
PM Netanyahu voting with his wife, Sara, on March 23rd, 2021 (Marc Israel Sellem via JTA)
All of this points to a central dilemma. Many are now asking if Israeli democracy is broken. Despite failing to receive a majority of support in recent elections, PM Netanyahu has managed to stay in power by joining delicate coalitions, assuming the role of Caretaker Prime Minister, and refusing to step down due to corruption charges. In fact, he has sought immunity as a way to circumvent these charges, putting him in direct conflict with the judicial branch. Most recently, his critics allege, he sabotaged budget negotiations to stay in power. This allowed Netanyahu to avoid giving Benny Gantz the premiership in late 2021, as was supposed to happen under the Likud-Blue and White coalition. Gridlock has ensued, leaving government positions unfilled and a nation without a budget amid a global pandemic.
Although Israeli democracy is currently intact, it is at a critical juncture.
References:
BBC News. (2020, May 22). Benjamin Netanyahu: What are the corruption charges? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47409739
Halbfinger, D. M. (2021, March 23). Israeli Election, Take Four: Conservatives vs. Conservatives. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/23/world/middleeast/23israel-netanyahu-election.html
Kingsley, P. (2021a, March 24). As 4th Election Looms, Some Ask: Is Israel’s Democracy Broken? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/17/world/middleeast/israel-election-netanyahu.html
Kingsley, P. (2021b, March 25). Israel Election: Do-Over Vote Looks Likely to Leave Another Stalemate. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/world/middleeast/israel-election-netanyahu.html
Kingsley, P., & Kershner, I. (2021, March 25). Netanyahu’s Party Leads in Israel Elections. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-election.html
Lis, J. (2021, April 4). Israel election results: As deadline nears, no candidate has enough support to form government. Haaretz. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-with-deadline-looming-no-candidate-has-enough-support-to-end-israel-s-stalemate-1.9679302?v=1617557726143
Sellem, M. I. (2021, March 24). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, vote in Jerusalem on March 23, 2021 [Photograph]. The Detroit Jewish News. https://thejewishnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Bibi-and-Sara.jpg
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