הבחירות הסתיימו שוב בלי הכרעה - והפרחים מגיעים לבן גביר

The recent elections concluded without a decisive outcome, a situation that, according to columnist Nir Kipnis, surprisingly benefits Itamar Ben-Gvir. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc did not secure a majority, the opposition bloc also failed to achieve a clear victory. Kipnis suggests that the Arab public's participation in the elections was crucial in supporting the liberal bloc, and advocates for their inclusion in an alternative government, either directly or through a support agreement. He expresses personal disappointment that the current government, which he deems a failure, received renewed public trust, questioning the motivations of a significant portion of the electorate. Kipnis reiterates his previous stance, explaining his vote for the Bennett-Lappi coalition, partly due to perceived public system failures following the October 7th events. He argues that the current electoral and governmental system is unsustainable and requires reform, possibly through a cantonal system, to allow for greater local autonomy. Kipnis believes that another election round would not necessarily grant Netanyahu a majority but would further weaken his opponents. Therefore, he stresses the urgent need for an alternative government and calls for the inclusion of Arab representatives, asserting that a democratic state cannot ignore this significant population segment. He acknowledges potential disagreements on the nature of the state but prefers dialogue over the current dynamic of "owner and tenants." Despite reservations about whether the Arab partners are truly progressive, Kipnis feels compelled by the election results to engage in this dialogue in good faith, viewing it as a necessary step to explore potential for a broader political discourse.