Israel’s political crisis reached new heights after Blue and White leader Benny Gantz announced Nov. 20 that he has failed to form a government. As the crisis has reached a deadlock, Israel seems increasingly likely to vote in a third election in March 2020.

Many Palestinians fear that new Israeli elections may result in further pro-settlement measures in the West Bank and a potential military escalation in the Gaza Strip. 

Multiple Palestinian dossiers will be affected by the Israeli elections. The Palestinian Authority is watching for possible settlement expansion in the West Bank and possible obstruction of the Palestinian elections in Jerusalem, while Hamas fears an Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip on the eve of the elections in March. 

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Monitor, “Palestinians have seen several Israeli election rounds during their conflict with Israel. There were left-wing and right-wing governments that changed periodically, but none of them agreed to end the Palestinian territories’ occupation.” He went on, “We want to break the siege on Gaza and the Israeli elections will not make us back down. The [Palestinian] divide is beneficial to Israel, and that is why Israel is against any reconciliation.”