Only Israel's Arab parties can restore democracy

TEL AVIV — In the run-up to Israel's election, a cautionary note was issued: no one should place undue optimism on the possible outcome. Alas, this counsel has proven prescient. An electorate deeply divided along tribal and cultural fault lines failed to hold Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for a litany of issues, including protracted conflicts, numerous war crimes, and a significant erosion of Israel's international reputation.

As a result, the election produced a stalemate. While Netanyahu's opponents claimed a larger share of seats in the Knesset than his right-wing coalition — 67 compared to 53 — this development does not automatically imply progress in Israel. Of those 67 seats, 19 were allocated to two Arab-led parties, with which the anti-Netanyahu coalition, led by former Chief of the General Staff Gadi Eizenkot, has pledged not to collaborate.

This fact underscores that Eizenkot's faction may attempt to form a national unity government, with Eizenkot and Netanyahu taking turns as prime minister. The magnitude of this political maneuver should not be downplayed; historical precedent indicates that such a scenario would likely see Netanyahu maintaining the upper hand.