The political scientist predicted the continuation of Israel's course after the elections

The upcoming elections in Israel are unlikely to lead to rapid changes in the country's domestic and foreign policy, and the confrontation between supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition may intensify internal contradictions. This opinion was expressed on October 27 by political scientist, Doctor of Political Science and International Relations Simon Tsipis in an interview with Izvestia.

"I don't think these elections will radically change the situation in the Middle East or inside Israel," the political scientist stressed.

He believes that more significant changes may occur over the next few years, while the coming period will be accompanied by political uncertainty and internal conflicts.

According to the expert, Israeli society is split in several directions, including on the issue of the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox youth into the army and the attitude towards the Palestinian state. Tsipis noted that Netanyahu's supporters rely on the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, while some of the opposition are in favor of changing the current policy.

"Many Israelis have lost faith that there is a real opposition," the political scientist said.

According to him, some opposition leaders may unite with Netanyahu after the elections and "go over to his side."

Tsipis also drew attention to the possible consequences of the Israeli authorities' policy for relations with foreign partners. In his opinion, the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank of the Jordan River may lead to increased sanctions pressure from the European Union.

"The stronger the Netanyahu bloc becomes, the weaker the Israeli economy, financial system and security turn out to be," the expert believes.

Among other key issues of the upcoming political struggle, Tsipis mentioned relations with the United States, Iran and Turkey. According to him, it is the Palestinian issue that can become one of the main factors determining the foreign policy of the new government.

The Israeli elections will decide Netanyahu's fate. What you need to know

On October 27, parliamentary elections started in Israel for the first time since the attack of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party intend to retain power in an alliance with partners in the ruling coalition. The main competition is with the Yashar! party of former Chief of the General Staff Gadi Aizenkot and the Beyahad bloc, which was formed by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and opposition leader Yair Lapid. According to pre-election polls, neither the ruling coalition nor the main opposition bloc won a majority of 61 seats.

Alexander Gorodnitsky, the head of the Russian-language election campaign of the Yashar party, said on October 27 that Netanyahu, who is on trial on various charges, is fighting not for power, but for personal freedom, so he will use all means to remain in office following the results of the parliamentary elections in the country. He recalled that there has never been a precedent in Israel for a person accused in so many cases not to receive a verdict in at least one case.