As Israel’s new government was sworn into the Knesset on Sunday, a glimmer of hope seems to shine from Jerusalem. Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his Premiership to an extraordinary coalition from all ends of the political spectrum. The Centrists, the Left, Netanyahu’s further-right former chief of staff and an Arab party joining a coalition for the first time have all come together with one goal in common: ousting Netanyahu. There is a chance here, however small, to escape the cycle of violence and build towards a brighter future.

President-elect Isaac Herzog

The President-elect, who will hold a largely ceremonial role, will be inaugurated on July 9^th. Isaac Herzog is essentially Israeli Royalty as the son of former President Chaim Herzog, was previously Chairman of the Labor Party and Minister of Social Services and Welfare, he also served as the leader of the opposition. It goes without saying that this political heavyweight has the opportunity to use his status to hold this fragile coalition together whilst promoting a two-state solution which is supported by all but the far-right of the new government.

A Government of Change

Architect of the coalition, Yair Lapid is a proponent of a Palestinian State. As the lynchpin of the government, Lapid’s agreement with new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will either lead to Lapid taking over as PM in two years, or as soon as the coalition breaks apart. This agreement means that Lapid should be able to reign-in Bennett’s far right tendencies, however the recent far-right demonstrations in East Jerusalem imply the opposite. Bennett was Netanyahu’s former chief-of-staff, but left Likud to start his own party further to the right of politics. We can hope that Lapid’s centrist and left wing allies can form a solid foundation for a stable government, and provide Israel with leadership which is interested in a more peaceful future.

Other leaders in this “Government of Change” will all have the potential to create a stumbling block for any new policy as there is just a single-seat majority, but the new avenues of discussion present an opportunity for positive change. With prominent left wing ministers for health, transport, environmental protection and diaspora affairs, it seems likely for this government to work closer with the U.S. Democratic Party than the previous administration. A large majority of the coalition support a two-state solution in one form or another, despite the Prime Minister opposing a Palestinian State, it seems like now is the chance to build towards a better future – they just have to grasp it.

Perhaps the most significant cause for hope in the new government is the inclusion of Ra’am, the United Arab List. Ra’am leader, Mansour Abbas, heads the first Arab party to ever form a part of a ruling coalition, and is the first to support a coalition since 1993. As part of the agreement to join the coalition, Abbas secured an additional 53 billion shekels (US$16bn) to improve infrastructure and fight crime in Palestinian-majority towns in Israel.

What does this mean for Arab Israelis?

Last year, Arab parties won a record 15 seats in parliament, and this year despite winning less seats, an Arab party has formed a part of the government. This election had the lowest ever turnout with just 44.6% of possible voters. However, in a despirate plea to survive, Netanyahu broke the embargo on inviting Arab parties to the table. With both Netanyahu and Lapid vying for Arab support, wider enfranchisement could prove a turning point for the lives of non-Jewish Israelis. Making up 21% of the total of Israel’s population, more political representation could inspire more of the population to use their large democratic power. If Ra’am prove to not just be a token supporter of the establishment, and Abbas is able to improve the lives of Arab and Druze Israelis, this coalition could be the watershed moment leading to a Peace Process.

What does this mean for Palestine?

The potential for change is within reach as negotiations for a prisoner exchange continue. For the sake of the future, Hamas must keep the release Marwan Barghouti on the top of their list of demands. Netanyahu has left office, but Mahmoud Abbas holds on tight. He cancelled the last election, allegedly due to Israeli blocking of voting in East Jerusalem, but this new Israeli government may allow it under international and domestic pressure. Abbas is 85 years old, Netanyahu is in his seventies; its time for the old guard to make way for the new. The potential release of Barghouti and a Palestinian Presidential election is a tangible source of hope. In the short term, the ceasefire needs to hold so the next step can be taken.

A Step Forward

So far, the new government has allowed a far-right demonstration march through occupied areas of East Jerusalem, fired rubber bullets at Arab protesters and launched air strikes on Gaza in response for Hamas releasing incendiary balloons in protest of the demonstration – calling into question the sustainability of the current ceasefire. We can just hope that peace talks continue and the violence does not escalate. Political commentators warn that this government will likely avoid changing the status quo with Palestine to not endanger the coalition, but ousting Netanyahu was the first step towards a better future. The government has the potential to do great things, but even if it does not last, with Netanyahu gone there is opportunity to make significant improvements in the lives of millions.

This change is the first step in many. This change cannot bring back lives and cannot repair trauma. But, by taking one small step at a time, this change is a glimmer of hope.

Matt Thomson