Middle Israel: Netanyahu and Eisenkot both lost, but Israel may have emerged the winner

At this writing, the electoral fog remains thick, but several facts have already emerged, all harsh and clear. Gadi Eisenkot and Benjamin Netanyahu both lost the election. Eisenkot's failure to address critical issues such as overcrowded hospitals, substandard schools, rampant crime, municipal corruption, and traffic congestion contributed to his defeat.

However, Netanyahu's loss was more significant, as he lost over 15% of his voters and the ruling coalition reduced by one-fifth. Among the Zionist electorate, Netanyahu was defeated 55:45. The swing vote, which Netanyahu ignored, provoked and lost, will grow even larger if he is not replaced. Israel may have emerged the winner from this electoral nightmare.

The incoming Knesset will have the largest Arab factions ever, a result of Netanyahu's incompetence. Arab voters were driven to the polls due to rampant crime in their towns and Netanyahu's National Security Minister's hostile attitude towards them. This victory also marks a transition in Israeli politics, where Arab Israeli politics matured, while ultra-Orthodox politics declined.

Ultra-Orthodoxy's attempt to make their boys' draft dodging a constitutional right failed, and they will lose their disproportionate influence in the future. In conclusion, Netanyahu and Eisenkot lost, but Israel may have won, as the next government will finally address long-standing issues that frustrated millions of citizens.