Arab Coalition Misvote Might Not Win Netanyahu Power Back In Israel
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Roshan Amiri
- . March 4, 2020
- . Update: March 4, 2020 12:10 pm
Benjamin Netanyahu’s dream to remain in power may just actually remain a dream after all as a huge Arab turnout at the parliamentary voting stage might have voted him out after all.
It is no surprise that the Arab voter turnout hit an unprecedented 66 percent. This is simply more than the last election in September when the turnout was actually less than 60 percent. The Arab Joint List is expected to increase its number of parliamentary seats from 13 to 15.
Right now Netanyahu does not have the majority. His right wing bloc was heading for 59 seats — two short of the 61 required for a majority in the Knesset. Opposition leader Benny Gantz refused to concede defeat, and said the election could result in another deadlock.
If Netanyahu does not secure the number to regain power, he will be tried under charges of corruption and bribery. He had asked for immunity under the judicial system where an elected leader of the nation cannot be tried for crimes of corruption, if he asks for protection.
Netanyahu had later surrendered his desire for immunity when Trump brought force a peace plan which was only in favour of Israel, marginalizing the interest of Palestinians. Political analysts believe he needs two or three solid votes to take him through else a coalition will not be formed for him to be hold on to his position of power.
Netanyahu is thought to be wooing Moshe Ya’alon, a member of Gantz’s opposition Blue and White Party and a former defense minister under Netanyahu; and Orly Levy-Abekasis, a former member of Avigdor Lieberman’s far-right Yisrael Beiteinu who now represents her own independent Gesher party in the Labor/Meretz coalition.
