Skip to main content

Israel's Center-Left Bloc Surrenders Without a Fight

Israel's center-left parties have failed to unite, paving the way for Netanyahu to win a third tenure in the Prime Minister's office, argues Mazal Mualem.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) is seen during the launch of his Likud Beiteinu party campaign ahead of the upcoming January 22 national elections, in Jerusalem December 25, 2012. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)
Read in 

It sounds funny now. However, just a few weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, driven by deep concerns over a likely alliance between the centrist and left-wing parties, was still undecided about whether he should call for an early election. The scenario of the opposition bloc forming a unified list, larger than the Likud, that may win the upcoming election and consequently the mandate to set up the next government has become a real nightmare for Netanyahu.

Having once experienced a most painful defeat — when he lost the premiership to Ehud Barak in 1999 after the center-left parties joined forces against him at the very last minute and beat him at the ballot box by a wide margin — his fears of a replay of such a scenario featuring a unified center-left coalition is quite understandable.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.