Israeli Parties Plan Post-Election Moves Amidst Legal Challenges
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Leading Israeli parties, Likud and the opposition, are developing post-election plans ahead of the October 27 Knesset elections. Likud intends to declare victory if the opposition fails to reach 61 seats and plans to deploy armed observers in Arab areas. The opposition is preparing to pass legislation, including barring indicted individuals from running, if no bloc secures a majority. Prime Minister Netanyahu is cautious about a "Arabs are rushing to the polls" campaign.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud plans to declare victory if the opposition bloc, excluding Arab parties, doesn't reach 61 seats.
- Likud intends to deploy armed observers in Arab-majority areas, following a High Court rejection of a ban.
- The opposition plans to pass laws, including barring indicted individuals from running, if no bloc wins a majority.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu is hesitant about a "Arabs are rushing to the polls" campaign due to potential backlash.
- The High Court of Justice rejected a petition to ban armed observers at polling stations.
Leading Israeli parties are preparing their strategies for the day after the upcoming Knesset elections, scheduled for October 27. According to Kan news, the Likud party intends to declare victory regardless of the outcome, provided the opposition bloc, excluding Arab parties, does not secure 61 mandates. Such a declaration would position Likud to demand that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be tasked with forming the next government. Kan reports that Likud plans to rely on internal polling data, which may differ significantly from national results. The party has also drafted complaints alleging election fraud, particularly targeting the Arab sector. Likud intends to deploy observers, some armed, to Arab-majority areas. This move follows a High Court of Justice (BAGATS) decision to reject a petition from Adalah and the Joint List seeking to ban armed observers at polling stations.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly hesitant about a "Arabs are rushing to the polls" campaign, a tactic used in 2015. While effective then, his advisors believe it could backfire this time by increasing Arab voter turnout. Meanwhile, opposition parties are preparing for a scenario where no bloc achieves a 61-mandate majority. In such a situation, they plan to pass legislation to reshape the political landscape before future elections. Key proposals include a law barring individuals indicted for criminal offenses from running for office, though Gadi Eisenkot's associates fear the High Court might block it. The opposition also aims to repeal laws passed as part of the judicial reform and potentially advance a conscription law, though this could risk reuniting the ultra-Orthodox parties with Likud.
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