Channel 12 political commentator Amit Segal estimated Tuesday evening, following the publication of the results of the polls for the 26th Knesset, that the Israeli public had voted by a significant majority against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remaining in power. He stressed, however, that it was not yet clear whether Gadi Eisenkot would be able to translate the results into the formation of a government.
“According to these polls, the Israeli public today voted by a significant majority against Benjamin Netanyahu remaining in power and against the coalition he led for four years, minus four days,” Segal said in a speech. Channel 12the election broadcast.
He said that even if the results indicate a majority opposed to Netanyahu remaining in power, the main challenge would be to form a coalition capable of building on that majority.
“The big question is whether this majority, led by Gadi Eisenkot, will be able to form a minority government against him, in violation of the campaign promises of Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman? Or a unity government, in violation of everyone’s campaign promises?” he asked.
Segal outlined three possible scenarios following the exit polls: the formation of a minority government, the establishment of a unity government or another round of elections.
A minority government, he said, could contradict election promises made by Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman, while a unity government would require parties to renege on commitments they made during the campaign.
The third possibility, he said, would be new elections, a scenario he said goes against the wishes of the Israeli public.
“Those are the three possibilities, and the question of which one is more likely to materialize will not be resolved tonight,” Segal said, adding that the situation could become clearer as more data becomes available.
Segal stressed that in the political circumstances that have emerged, even a slight change in the distribution of seats in the Knesset could have a considerable impact on the possibility of forming a government.
“Every seat that changes here counts,” he explained.
As an example, he pointed out that in Channel 12 poll results, the Change bloc holds 52 seats. Even adding the seven seats planned for Raam, the bloc only reaches 59 seats.
“If they win two seats, this possibility suddenly opens up. If someone else wins seats, the situation is different,” he said.
Segal concluded by urging viewers to continue following the results throughout the night.
“It’s worth continuing to watch with bated breath all night, following each seat.”
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