Segal: Repeat elections realistic after Arab vote probe

The political storm surrounding the 2026 election results and the dramatic suspicions of foreign interference has escalated: political analyst Amit Segal, writing in Yisrael Hayom, assesses the implications of the Shin Bet and police investigation and estimates that the possibility of repeat elections is becoming tangible and closer than ever.

"The dramatic suspicions regarding the buying of the elections by Qatar bring the possibility of repeat elections much closer," Segal writes. "Anyone with sense who understands something about elections knows there is no such surge in voter turnout without a massive one-time operation, whether legal or illegal. It cannot be replicated again, especially when the Shin Bet's eye will be open this time."

"Eisenkot sees Netanyahu as a danger — Netanyahu sees Eisenkot as a nuisance"

Regarding contacts to form the next coalition and the change bloc's concerns about dragging the country into another election, he sketches the situation within the right-wing bloc and clarifies that the prime minister has no reason to feel pressured.

"In the change bloc, they suspect that Netanyahu is pushing with all his might for a transition government and elections," Segal explains. "The more accurate description of the prime minister's mental state is that he is indifferent to the existence of such elections. That is to say, he has no problem bringing Eisenkot, Bennett or Liberman into the government, but he does not intend to pay them in any hard currency: not a state commission of inquiry, not a draft law, not removing Ben-Gvir and not his trial. Want to come? Please, like other partners in the bloc. Eisenkot sees Netanyahu as a danger. Netanyahu sees Eisenkot as a nuisance."

The quiet advantage of a transition government

Segal points out that although a transition government is usually perceived as a paralyzed body unable to make long-term decisions or appoint senior officials, for Netanyahu it has significant strategic advantages at this time.

"For Netanyahu there is actually a great advantage in it," he explains. "First, it cannot be toppled. There is no weekly danger of a no-confidence vote, partners cannot harass and threaten, and most importantly: you can still make war and you can still make peace. These are exactly the issues that matter to him: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Lebanon."

He concludes his analysis with the political paradox created around the ballot box results in the Arab sector: "Luck played in Netanyahu's favor on more than one front. Whether the insane Arab vote was achieved by kosher means or not, whoever stood behind it wanted to bring about Netanyahu's downfall. In practice, it only brought his survival closer. This time too, they succeeded too much."