Israeli elections won’t change much for Washington
Even if Benjamin Netanyahu loses, new leadership is unlikely to radically change Israel’s trajectory on issues important to the US.
Israel is set to hold crucial elections today that may oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Even if Netanyahu is defeated, analysts believe the new leadership will not significantly alter Israel's stance on matters crucial to the US. Elisa Ewers, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, stated that any incoming government will likely face limitations in altering its approach to Palestinian issues.
Given that US public opinion is heavily influenced by Israeli government policy towards Palestine, it will be challenging for a new administration to quickly enough change perceptions to overcome existing challenges.
Netanyahu's main rival, former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, opposes Palestinian statehood and has committed to dismantling Hamas' military wing. A new prime minister would also confront complex decisions regarding Iran, including how to react to Tehran's preparations for potential renewed hostilities.
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