(VOVWORLD) - Israeli voters cast their second ballot of the year on Tuesday to decide the political future of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a nationalist, conservative, and hard-line leader. The result, which could see Netanyahu reelected or end his decade-long leadership of Israel, will profoundly affect the Middle East’s future.
 Israel's parliament meeting in Jerusalem on April 30, 2019 (photo: VNA) |
The second election in less than six months was a race between the Likud Party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Blue and White party of former Chief of the General Staff, General Benny Gantz. Netanyahu failed to assemble a governing coalition after a close snap election in April, leading to this month's election rerun.
Old strategy
Prior to the election, Netanyahu heated up the atmosphere with tough rhetoric. He said if he wins, the first thing he will do is annex the Jordan Valley and part of the West Bank. Before that, he revealed evidence of a secret nuclear facility in Iran. He has pushed the signing of a historic Defense Treaty between Tel Aviv and Washington and attended a warm meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Observers say these moves were no a surprise. He did similar things before the previous election in April to rally more supporters to his campaign. Before the April election, he lobbied President Donald Trump to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel.
Instability in the Middle East
Netanyahu’s political strategy is predicted to beat his rival Benny Gantz. It will also sweep away any hope for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
No matter who wins, the new PM will uphold Tel Avi’s policy of annexing the West Bank for Israel’s security interests. Netanyahu’s announced intention to annex the Jordan Valley and part of the West Bank has raised international concerns. It threatens regional peace, destroy hopes of resuming peace talks between Israel and Palestine, and deepens the hatred between Arab countries and Israel. It would also set a bad precedent to use military and economic force to carry out a land grab. It will also weaken international treaties and conventions and provoke a wave of anti-Semitism throughout the Middle East.