Arab Media Scrutinize Netanyahu's Election Risks as Polls Show No Clear Majority

Regional media across the Middle East are closely monitoring Israel's upcoming election, with a specific focus on the political vulnerability of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the decisive role Arab voters may play. The coverage centers on the lack of a guaranteed parliamentary majority for either major bloc, which elevates the influence of smaller parties in determining the next government's composition.

Egypt's Alghad TV broadcast remarks from Hadash politician Shadi Shweiri on Sunday, describing the vote as a unique opportunity for Arab citizens to advance national demands. Shweiri characterized the choice as a decision between "the bad and the worse." He argued that the right to vote was a condition for Israel's United Nations membership in 1948, not an act of goodwill. "They cannot take this right away from us, although, as Netanyahu does, they can act outside the bounds of legitimacy," Shweiri said.

Shweiri accused the current government of racism and crimes against Palestinians in Gaza. He urged Arab parties to support only candidates willing to halt military operations and improve economic conditions for Arab citizens. The report referred to Arab citizens of Israel as "Palestinians in the country," emphasizing the need for a partner willing to stop fighting.

In contrast, Iranian officials have downplayed the election's importance amid ongoing regional tensions. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated on Monday that the outcome "makes no difference to us." He described the process as a competition among gangs to commit more evil. "It makes no difference to us in such an environment who becomes the helm of a regime that has achieved nothing but killing and genocide," Baghaei said, despite Iranian state media reporting on multiple polls regarding Likud's chances.

Qatar's Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported on fears of a political stalemate that could leave Netanyahu leading a caretaker government. Journalist Beirut Hammoud framed the election as occurring after three years of conflict and declining international support for Israel. She argued that opposition leaders differ from Netanyahu only in their methods of managing the conflict, accusing him of leading a "government of ruin."

Lebanon's pro-Hezbollah outlet Al-Khanadeq alleged that Netanyahu's campaign portrays the Arab vote as a liability. The analysis pointed to AI-generated material showing Gadi Eisenkot alongside Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas. The author argued this incitement targets the "soft right" and raises the cost of using Arab parliamentary seats. The outlet also cited efforts by the Central Elections Committee to disqualify Arab-majority parties and the deployment of 2,000 activists to deter voters.

The Palestinian site Al Quds noted that the timing of the Israeli vote coincides with US midterm elections. Dr. Ahmed Youseff, a former adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, wrote that an Eisenkot victory could reopen diplomatic channels and force accountability for security failures. He stated that the true value of the elections will be measured by whether voter voices translate into concrete steps to curb war and restore rights.