Elections of the 'New Israel' (1/2): The Right's Conflict and the Opposition's Impasse

An analysis of the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27, 2026, focusing on the internal right-wing conflict and the opposition's inability to present a coherent political alternative. The article points to competition among right-wing parties over extremism, and the opposition's failure to move beyond the goal of ousting Netanyahu, with estimates suggesting neither camp can reach 61 seats.

An analysis of the Israeli Knesset elections scheduled for October 27, 2026, described by the article as different from previous ones, as the stakes extend beyond the identity of the government to the future of the political system. The analysis focuses on two contradictions: the rise of right-wing rhetoric that narrows the space for difference, and the opposition's inability to formulate a coherent alternative. Within the right-wing camp, there is competition over extremism between Likud, the Haredi parties, 'Jewish Power', and 'Religious Zionism', turning the competition into a race to represent the most extreme currents. Estimates indicate that the Netanyahu camp will win 49-53 seats, compared to 53-58 for the competitors, and 11-14 for the Arab lists. In contrast, the opposition includes right-wing, centrist, and left-wing forces led by Eisenkot, Bennett, Lapid, Golan, and Lieberman, but they have not presented an integrated political vision for the wars in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Iran, and Syria. The article concludes that the opposition's lead in seats does not mean it can form the government, and that political deadlock may continue.