Small parties will shape Israeli politics
Subject Israeli voting trends and government stability. Significance Israel's political landscape has been fragmented throughout the country's history, with elections regularly producing unstable coalition governments. There have been 34 governments in the 67 years since the state's founding. Earlier this year parliamentary elections produced yet another coalition government headed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his centre right Likud party. Netanyahu was only able to return to power with a coalition of the narrowest possible majority (61 out of 120 seats). This reflects longer-term trends in Israeli politics that will play a major role in the shape and stability of its governments in the years to come. Impacts Long-term economic planning will become harder as smaller parties exact financial concessions for their communities in coalition talks. Centrist parties will have declining influence over policy as low turnout afflicts their support base. Relations with the United States and Europe will become more tense, increasing the risk of Israel's international isolation.