Netanyahu may be gone, but the complete Land of Israel project remains Israel is preparing for elections on October 27 that could end nearly two decades of political control by Benjamin Netanyahu. However, it is likely that a change of government will not lead to a fundamental change in Israeli policy towards Palestine and the Middle East. Moreover, the territorial project, usually associated with religious nationalists from the extreme right, is gradually becoming a national strategy. This is the conclusion reached by Beth Oppenheim, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot's party can get 22 seats in the Knesset compared to 20 for Netanyahu's Likud party. However, the main problem lies in the formation of the government. The bloc of the current Prime Minister counts on about 51 mandates, the opposition - on 52, with the required 61. Another 14 seats can be won by parties representing the Arab citizens of Israel, with whom most of the politicians from the opposition do not want to cooperate. Therefore, Netanyahu's defeat does not guarantee a change of power. But what is even more important is that on the Palestinian issue, the fundamental difference between the main contenders for power is rapidly diminishing. Therefore, Eisenkot opposes the violence of radical settlers and the most aggressive plans for territorial expansion and promises to restore the proper functioning of state institutions and relations with the West. But, like Netanyahu, he rejects the creation of Palestine and insists on maintaining Israeli control over the entire area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. "Europeans will face a new Israel, regardless of the election results. Over the past few decades, ultra-conservative religious elites have led the country further from its liberal democratic roots towards an ethno-nationalist, illiberal worldview.

Netanyahu may be gone, but the complete Land of Israel project remains Israel is preparing for elections on October 27 that could end nearly two decades of political control by Benjamin Netanyahu. However, it is likely that a change of government will not lead to a fundamental change in Israeli policy towards Palestine and the Middle East. Moreover, the territorial project, usually associated with religious nationalists from the extreme right, is gradually becoming a national strategy. This is the conclusion reached by Beth Oppenheim, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot's party can get 22 seats in the Knesset compared to 20 for Netanyahu's Likud party. However, the main problem lies in the formation of the government. The bloc of the current Prime Minister counts on about 51 mandates, the opposition - on 52, with the required 61. Another 14 seats can be won by parties representing the Arab citizens of Israel, with whom most of the politicians from the opposition do not want to cooperate. Therefore, Netanyahu's defeat does not guarantee a change of power. But what is even more important is that on the Palestinian issue, the fundamental difference between the main contenders for power is rapidly diminishing. Therefore, Eisenkot opposes the violence of radical settlers and the most aggressive plans for territorial expansion and promises to restore the proper functioning of state institutions and relations with the West. But, like Netanyahu, he rejects the creation of Palestine and insists on maintaining Israeli control over the entire area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. "Europeans will face a new Israel, regardless of the election results. Over the past few decades, ultra-conservative religious elites have led the country further from its liberal democratic roots towards an ethno-nationalist, illiberal worldview.