Gershon Baskin says Arab parties' role is decisive for alternative to Netanyahu

Gershon Baskin, an Israeli analyst and activist, stated that the role of Arab political parties will be decisive in forming an alternative to Benjamin Netanyahu following the Israeli legislative elections. Baskin noted that while voters across Jewish and Arab society may have voted against Netanyahu and his religious right coalition, the primary challenge remains whether anti-Netanyahu forces are willing to collaborate with Arab parties to form a government.

Partial data from the Central Election Commission shows that 72.4% of ballots have been counted. The block supporting Netanyahu holds 54 seats, while the group led by Gadi Eisenkot has 48 seats. Arab parties have reached a total of 18 seats, aided by growth in the Ra’am party. Several groups, including Reservists, People of Israel, and Charedi Public, remain below the 3.25% electoral threshold. The final results depend on the completion of the count, including military votes cast via double envelopes.