Israeli election could test democratic norms, says UEA expert
By: Communications
As Israel prepares for a potentially pivotal election on 27 October, a political expert at the University of East Anglia discusses what the result could mean for Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli democracy and the wider rise of populist politics around the world.
Dr Eitan Tzelgov, from UEA's School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies, says the election should be understood not only as a contest for power, but also as part of wider international debates about populism, democratic accountability and political leadership.
Dr Tzelgov, an expert in Israeli politics, populism, democratic backsliding, political institutions and the radical right, said:
"This election is not simply about who governs Israel next. It is a critical juncture: a test of the strength of Israel's democratic institutions and of how voters respond to debates about democracy, accountability, political leadership and the future direction of the state.
"Opinion polls and coalition arithmetic will be important, but so too will the narratives political actors use to mobilise voters.
"The camp that controls the narrative will have a clear advantage. And most important will be the ability of each side to mobilise its voters, as the result is expected to be tight.
"One thing bears watching above all: given how normalised it has become to question the legitimacy of electoral outcomes, a peaceful transfer of power cannot be taken for granted if Netanyahu loses."
Dr Tzelgov said that security, the ongoing impact of the war, questions around political leadership, and tensions between religious and democratic values are all expected to play central roles in voter decision-making.
He added: "Many outside Israel focus on the personalities involved, but understanding the election requires looking at the wider ideological battles that define contemporary Israeli politics.
"The rise of the Israeli radical right and the radicalisation of Likud under Benjamin Netanyahu are part of wider international trends that can be seen across a number of democracies.
"Israel offers an important case study for understanding populism, anti-elite narratives and democratic erosion in the twenty-first century."
As attention turns to the election campaign and its outcome, Dr Tzelgov says the result could offer important insights not only into Israel's political future, but also into broader global debates about populism, democratic resilience and the stability of democratic institutions.
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