Why Coalition Government in Israel Means War on Gaza

• Why Coalition Government in Israel Means War on Gaza
  by Ramzy Baroud, Special to Gulf News, https://gulfnews.com/opinion
  Netanyahu might finally be dislodged, but Palestinians have little to rejoice
  The harsh reality of the occupation is likely to remain unchanged for Palestinians, regardless of the Israeli leader who will succeed in forming a government coalition.
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  While experience has taught Palestinians not to place hopes on Israeli elections, the complex nature of current Israeli politics, and the serious possibility of an Israeli attempt at illegally annexing parts of the West Bank, require vigilance.
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  The outcome of the September 17 elections seems to have ushered in a new age in Israel, ideologically and politically. But the same can also be said regarding its potential influence on Palestinians, who should now brace themselves for war in Gaza and annexation in the West Bank.
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  On September 25, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government. According to the latest count, Netanyahu’s Likud party has gained another seat in the Knesset. The pro-Netanyahu bloc now has 55 seats vs the centre-led camp of Benny Gantz, with 54.
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  Gantz, a former chief of general staff of the Israeli army who had orchestrated the destructive war on the besieged Gaza Strip in 2014, has a serious chance at becoming the new prime minister. Despite Netanyahu’s best efforts, his mission seems impossible, due to his unlikely ability to obtain the 61-seat majority required at the Knesset. But those who are eager to see Netanyahu ousted should be careful. His absence will hardly turn Israel into a peace-loving, democratic country.
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  Illegal colony blocs
  There is little discussion in Israeli, and, by extension, western media of Gantz’s numerous war crimes during the Gaza war. The focus is mainly on the fact that he seems to have a chance at dislodging Netanyahu from a position he had held for nearly 13 years.
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  The leader of the Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) party had plotted the ouster of Netanyahu back in January 2018, when he formed the Israeli Resilience Party. Following several political mergers and a strong showing in the previous elections in April, the centrist politician has finally edged past Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party in the most recent elections.
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  If Netanyahu fails to form a government, Gantz, with 33 seats — compared to Likud’s 32 seats — would need a broad coalition to rule Israel. The vehemently anti-Palestinian politician has made it clear that he will not enter into a coalition with the Joint List, the alliance of various Palestinian Arab political parties. The latter has managed to achieve 13 seats, making it the third largest political force in Israel.
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