The key facts

  • Yair Golan warned of the growing likelihood of a new conflict with Iran and called for the formation of an alternative government
  • Neither Netanyahu's bloc (53 seats), nor the opposition (48), nor the Palestinian parties (19) secured the required 61 seats in the Knesset
  • Israeli and American media outlets suggest a potential strike on Iran following the US midterm elections on November 3

Golan's warning amid political uncertainty

On Sunday, Yair Golan, leader of the Israel Democrats party, warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might exploit a potential new military strike against Iran to remain in power amidst the political uncertainty following last week's elections. 'The likelihood of another round of hostilities with Iran is increasing,' Golan wrote on the X platform, adding that repeated cycles of conflict demonstrate the failure of Netanyahu's policies. According to him, the Prime Minister 'lacks moral legitimacy and even the basic capacity' to manage a new conflict with Iran. The report cites Anadolu Agency.

Context: paralysis in coalition negotiations and reports of a potential strike

The statement came amid publications in Israeli and American media suggesting that Israel and Washington could launch a new strike against Iran following the US midterm elections scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. Golan's warning followed the parliamentary elections, where preliminary results showed Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, Jewish opposition parties won 48, and Palestinian parties gained 19. No bloc reached the required 61 seats for a majority. Several scenarios are being discussed: a government supported by Palestinian parties, a national unity government, or new elections.

Call for an alternative government and legal risks for the Prime Minister

Golan urged the formation of an alternative government as soon as possible, stating that this is 'extremely important as Israel's security and the safety of its citizens are at stake.' Meanwhile, the publication reminds readers of Netanyahu's legal situation: the 76-year-old Prime Minister is undergoing a corruption trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, which could result in imprisonment if convicted. Since 2024, he has also been subject to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians during the war in Gaza, which began in October 2023.