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Israel’s Election Offers a Bleak Future for the Palestinians

By
Ambra Suriano

The rival blocs contesting Israel’s general election differ over many questions, but they converge in their opposition to a Palestinian state. Even if Benjamin Netanyahu loses power, the occupation will continue.

Gadi Eisenkot, former Israeli army chief of staff and head of the Yashar party, delivers a statement during a press conference near Kibbutz Mefalsim, adjacent to the border with Gaza Strip on October 15, 2026.

Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of Israel’s opposition coalition, has been very clear about his opposition to Palestinian self-determination. As Eisenkot stressed in August this year: “No Palestinian state will be established under the government we form.” (Ilia Yefimovich / AFP via Getty Images)

Israel’s parliamentary elections are fast approaching on October 27, with Benjamin Netanyahu facing a challenge from the opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot. Netanyahu is backed by a coalition of religious ultranationalist parties, while Eisenkot advocates a more liberal or secular form of Zionism, pledging to achieve what his party describes as a Zionist goal: “to make Israel, by 2048, a prosperous model state — a source of pride, built on partnership, fellowship and mutual responsibility.”

But what would a victory for either bloc mean for Palestinian society in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip? Unfortunately, whoever wins the election, there is not going to be any change to Israel’s denial of basic rights to the Palestinian people. Whatever else may divide them, the two rival coalitions share common ground in their staunch opposition to a Palestinian state and their insistence that Israel’s security must be further strengthened.

A Democracy for the Jews

Since its establishment, Israel has defined itself as a democratic state surrounded by enemies and fighting for its survival. However, while Israel has extended rights of citizenship and political participation to Jewish immigrants, Palestinians who already lived on the land have been subjected to mass displacement and denied equivalent rights under Israeli rule.

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