Haaretz political analyst Yossi Verter published a stark warning Thursday about the political developments following the elections to the 26th Knesset. Verter argued that the outgoing coalition will not permit the opposition to elect a new Knesset speaker, and cautioned against deterioration into severe internal confrontation.
"If the Knesset even opens on Tuesday in a week and a half, and the strengthened opposition insists on electing a new speaker, the outgoing coalition will not allow it. We are close to civil war. The script is written in advance," Verter wrote.
He went on to outline the scenario he expects to unfold should the opposition attempt to exercise its parliamentary power. According to Verter, there will be claims that the election results are invalid, alongside demands to hold new elections.
"The chorus will shout, it is already shouting, that the elections were stolen, that new elections must be held urgently (which will also be stolen if the result repeats itself and the Arabs flood in again), and that any thought of forming a minority government is treason and collaboration with criminals and indirectly with Qatar," he wrote.
Verter connected his remarks to suspicions regarding Qatari influence on the elections, and criticized the attitude toward Qatar among figures associated with the government.
"Qatar! This is the complex country that working for it and possibly even being operated by it is perfectly fine, after all," he added.
Verter then directed sharp criticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shin Bet chief David Zinni, claiming that Zinni's appointment was designed to serve Netanyahu specifically in the post-election period.
"Today it becomes clear how brilliant in its malice and malicious in its brilliance was the appointment of David Zinni as Shin Bet chief. Netanyahu, the agent of chaos, appointed him with a forward-looking gaze precisely toward this critical juncture, the day after the elections," he wrote.
Verter continued, arguing that the Shin Bet chief is providing professional backing for moves that he claims are intended to undermine the democratic process.
