Sociologist Sammy Smooha Predicts a Government Supported by Arab Parties

Sociologist Sammy Smooha predicted that Israel would eventually have a government supported by Arab parties, in an interview published on November 14. The researcher of Jewish-Arab relations described the election result as a historic opportunity whose outcome would depend on political leadership. “I believe that eventually a government will be formed with Arab support,” Smooha said. He described Israeli politics as divided into three blocs, the right, the center-left and the Arab bloc. He advocated bringing Arab parties into government, arguing that participation would give Arab citizens a practical stake in governing and strengthen their sense of belonging. Asked about Gadi Eisenkot reaching an agreement with Haredi parties, Smooha argued that differences over military-service exemptions would obstruct a deal. He pointed to opposition leaders’ commitment to equal service obligations as a barrier to reconciling their positions with those of the Haredi parties. Smooha also dismissed the prospect of a unity government. In his assessment, Avigdor Liberman, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid and Eisenkot would refuse to serve alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, while Netanyahu would insist on leading the government. He argued that another election would favor Netanyahu because the opposing bloc would struggle to reproduce its turnout.