Israel Faces Election Stalemate Amidst Policy Debates and Security Concerns

As Israel approaches an election, political analysts predict a stalemate, with neither major bloc holding a clear advantage. This comes after the Knesset's longest continuous term since 1988, navigating wartime conditions. The political landscape is marked by intense campaigning, including a petition by the "Jewish Power" party to disqualify the "Democrats" party and its leader Yair Golan from the elections, with "Democrats" filing a reciprocal request.

Amidst the electoral noise, several "state" projects are being advanced. The National Economic Council has proposed a reform to mandatory pension insurance, a move criticized due to its timing before the elections. The Ministry of Construction and Housing is preparing a strategic plan to reform the long-term rental market, aiming to increase supply and oversight. The Ministry of Finance is developing a comprehensive economic plan for 2027-2032, focusing on deep reforms, deficit reduction, and tax policy changes, notably formulating a multi-year strategy despite potential government changes.

Further proposals include consolidating or closing at least 10 ministries to save up to 10 billion shekels, and discussions around introducing a road tax for drivers. A new program to support immigrants is also reported. Notably absent from major proposals is a reform of the Histadrut, the national labor union, which the author suggests should be dismantled.

While judicial reform has been a significant topic, systemic reforms of government branches or the electoral system are not being discussed by any party, suggesting a tacit consensus among major players. The current coalition has expressed dissatisfaction with the balance of power between branches of government, with proposals focusing on the roles of the Attorney General and changes to judicial appointments and the Supreme Court's authority. The author believes a true constitutional reform is still in the future.

Crucially, the article highlights the failure of a long-standing political consensus to maintain Hamas as the governing entity in Gaza, a strategy intended to prevent Hamas from gaining autonomy in the West Bank. The responsibility for this failure is shared, but the current "right-wing" government faces the task of dismantling Hamas's rule. The author concludes that significant events are reshaping the Middle East, and adherence to a new "smart power" concept is paramount.