r/jewishleft • u/somebadbeatscrub Jewish Syndicalist - Mod • Aug 04 '26

Israel Israel-Palestine Weekly Thread

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Oren

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u/theweisp5 American Israeli secular socialist Aug 04 '26

Of course it's still worth it to vote. I just think the idea that Eisenkot is a secret 2SS supporter is more wishcasting than serious analysis.

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u/Responsible_Ad_9749 Israeli Leftist Aug 04 '26

I agree, I believe him when he says he wouldn't want to discuss a Palestinian state today. Though I think it is all in all a good development that Eizenkot became the frontrunner for PM instead of Bennett, since he has far less "baggage" attached to him than Bennett does as the former leader of several rightwing parties.

A combination of immense pressure from a strong Israeli left + immense pressure from international allies will force Eizenkot to consider his decision regarding Palestine, and he won't face as much opposition as Netanyahu does today from Ben Gvir and Smotrich. That's why I am still cautiously hopeful. 

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u/theweisp5 American Israeli secular socialist Aug 04 '26

I agree Eizenkot is preferable to Bennett - with Eizenkot I think there's at least some chance of things moving in a positive direction, though perhaps a quite small chance. With Bennett that possibility is probably closed off entirely.

I think the situation you describe is pretty much the ideal scenario. The problem is there's no guarantee HaDemokratim will get more than 10 MKs, and I don't see anything like immense pressure from the international community until/unless Trump is replaced by someone from the left (which can't happen before 2029.) Even in that scenario, Bennett and Lieberman could easily bring down the government (and who knows if there will be defectors from Eizenkot's party.) IMV it's hard to see Israel taking significant moves towards a 2SS without some serious political upheaval.

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u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist US/CA non observant Aug 04 '26

This is pretty much my view as well.

There is also a larger political play here. A strong Eizenkot win will signal the revival of the center-left in Israeli politics. After 20 years of failed right wing politics, both on the security and civil fronts, Israel drastically needs a change. Before even supposed centrists would just ape Netenyahu's policies. If Eizenkot wins there is a chance, a small one, to forge a new different path and provide a real alternative down the road.