Netanyahu Targets Palestinian Voters Amid Post-Election Deadlock and US Pressure

On October 27, 2026, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted an extensive social media campaign to delegitimize Palestinian voters during Israel's first general election since the October 7 attacks. A Haaretz investigation revealed that Netanyahu published 146 posts across his accounts during the 15 hours polling stations were open, with 72 of those messages specifically attacking Palestinian turnout. This effort was part of a broader digital strategy involving his son, Yair Netanyahu, who shared 103 similar posts, and Channel 14 News, which distributed 40 such messages. The campaign aimed to discredit the election results as Palestinian citizens turned out in record numbers, potentially shifting the balance of power toward the opposition Change bloc.

The election resulted in a political deadlock, though Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party emerged as a primary contender to form a government. While Eisenkot’s immediate bloc holds 48 seats, the inclusion of the Palestinian-led Joint List and Ra’am parties—which secured 19 seats—provides a potential 67-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset. President Isaac Herzog is expected to task Eisenkot with forming a coalition first, as the opposition moves to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Both Yousef Jabareen of the Joint List and Mansour Abbas of Ra’am have signaled their support for this move, viewing it as a necessary step to end Netanyahu’s tenure.

International pressure has mounted following the vote, with U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly advocating for a broad unity government. Sources indicate that Trump prefers a coalition between Netanyahu’s Likud and Eisenkot’s Yashar party to facilitate regional diplomatic goals, including normalization with Saudi Arabia and a resolution to the Palestinian issue. Notably, the U.S. administration has specifically requested the exclusion of far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, viewing him as a barrier to Gaza policy. Domestically, a group of 400 Israeli artists and public figures has urged the Zionist opposition to abandon prejudice and racism by forming a historic partnership with Palestinian parties to preserve Israeli democracy.

The October 2026 election serves as a critical referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu’s nearly two-decade dominance of Israeli politics. His leadership was severely challenged following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 kidnappings. While Netanyahu’s supporters credit him with devastating strikes against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, his critics—led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot—hold him accountable for the security failures of 2023 and the subsequent military campaign that has killed over 74,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Prior to the current conflict, Israel was already deeply polarized by Netanyahu’s attempts to overhaul the judicial system, which sparked massive anti-government protests. His reliance on far-right and ultra-Orthodox partners has further strained social cohesion, particularly regarding military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men. Netanyahu also faces ongoing corruption charges and an international arrest warrant, complicating his standing both at home and abroad. The Right or Palestine campaign slogan reflects his long-standing strategy of framing the two-state solution as an existential threat, a position that remains politically potent despite international pressure for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.