Israel’s opposition continues to define itself by opposition to Netanyahu rather than by a viable governing alternative.
One of the newest leaders of the “Never-Bibi” camp, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, said this week that even if the opposition wins only 59 seats against 52 for the Netanyahu bloc, it would still form a government by relying on Arab parties to support a minority coalition.
Eisenkot and his allies argue that such a government would enjoy “wider support” and even describe it as a “Zionist” government — merely without religious parties. That claim is deeply problematic on several levels.
First, Eisenkot is leaning heavily on polls that have repeatedly failed in past elections. In the last election cycle, nearly all polls were significantly off. The one poll that proved almost exact now projects a decisive Netanyahu victory of roughly 64 seats to 48, excluding Arab parties.