Author Predicts Difficult Year Ahead Despite Opposition Election Victory

Despite an anticipated victory for the "change bloc" parties in the upcoming elections, which are expected to form the next government in coalition with Arab parties, the coming year is unlikely to be a good one for Israel, according to columnist Ran Adlist. He argues that true healing and systemic reform will not occur unless those responsible for bringing the country "to its knees" are held accountable.

Adlist anticipates that the election campaign will be exceptionally violent and deceptive, raising concerns about the potential for civil war, a scenario he hopes Israel has moved beyond. He suggests that significant portions of the right-wing camp may suffer a profound identity crisis, a consequence of what he describes as a "vile smear campaign" targeting "Mapai, Ashkenazim, Kibbutzniks," which has poisoned the minds of right-wing voters. This internal "poison" has also seeped into the military, he claims.

Economically, Adlist foresees widespread anxiety among hundreds of thousands of families who have relied on the economic umbrella provided by Likud, Shas, Haredi, and settlement parties. While he doesn't expect families to be thrown onto the streets, he notes a contagious "anxiety campaign" on the right that could exacerbate tensions and contribute to the risk of civil conflict, particularly if the change bloc and Arab parties form the next government.

The author also raises questions about the conduct of the police and border police during the election period and the potential deployment of the military for "maintaining security tension." He also plans to observe the effectiveness of the protest movement in controlling public spaces. Adlist concludes with a somber hope that the election day and its associated "curses" will pass, but acknowledges uncertainty about a clear resolution, even suggesting emigration to China as a last resort.