Election Analysis: Jewish Supremacy Remains the Norm

Independent journalist Antony Loewenstein says the recent Israeli election results confirm a persistent divide between the electorate and the governing structure. For many voters, the outcome suggests that political engagement with Arab parties remains unlikely, regardless of which candidate leads the voting bloc.

Loewenstein, author of The Palestine Laboratory, spoke with Middle East Eye on October 28 to assess the race. He noted that Benjamin Netanyahu appears slightly ahead of his rivals, though the final tally may shift in the coming days. Loewenstein argued that the gap between Netanyahu and the opposition is small on key issues, including policy toward Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.

The journalist stated that a substantial portion of Israeli Jewish voters do not want Arabs in government or any form of Arab self-determination. He said many voters prefer to remove Arabs from Palestine and a large number from within Israel itself. This sentiment, he claimed, persists whether the governing party is led by the incumbent or the opposition.

Loewenstein highlighted that Arab parties won a large number of seats. He attributed this success to high turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel and support from left-wing Israeli Jews. Despite this electoral strength, he said it is difficult to see those parties gaining representation in the government or a strong opposition bloc.

Both major parties have refused to form a coalition with Arab groups, according to Loewenstein. He concluded that this refusal demonstrates that Jewish supremacy is the law of the land. The election results show that the central issue in Israel is not just about Netanyahu, but about the structural exclusion of Arab partners from power.

The final decision on who forms the government will depend on the remaining votes and coalition negotiations. Loewenstein said the current trajectory suggests that the status quo will hold, with both major blocs maintaining their refusal to share power with Arab-led parties.