Palestinian groups say Israeli election offers little hope for peace

Palestinian groups and factions have reacted to the results of Israel’s general elections, saying they hold out little hope for a change in Tel Aviv’s policies toward Palestinians following the elections.

Amid speculations that the elections would result in the formation of one of the most right-wing Israeli coalitions, Hazem Qassem, spokesman for the Palestinian resistance group of Hamas, called on Palestinians to adopt a united policy to confront increasing Israeli extremism.

Palestinian political faction, Fatah, also called for unity among Palestinians, saying the issue of Palestine has not been on the agenda of the Israeli elections.

The comments came after Israel held a fourth general election in two years in the midst of a political deadlock, with the results showing that no political party has a clear path to victory.

The final results are not expected until Friday, but exit polls showed on Wednesday that Netanyahu’s chances of retaining power were slim as the Likud party was short of a decisive parliamentary majority despite securing the most seats. That will raise the possibility of continued political gridlock and an unprecedented fifth consecutive election later this year.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh also expressed regret that Tel Aviv is shifting to the extreme right, saying, however, that the future Israeli prime minister must end the occupation of Palestinian territories.

“What is needed really from the future prime minister of Israel is somebody who is ready to stand up and say that he is ready to end occupation that has occurred on the Palestinian territories since 1967,” Shtayyeh said.

He added that Israel’s shift to the right would mean “a lot of time has been wasted, and a lot of measures have been taken against our people, against our land, against our resources.”

Several Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip said the Israeli elections will not change the reality of the brutality and aggression practiced against the Palestinian people.

“It does not matter whether Netanyahu or someone else wins the elections. They are all enemies of the Palestinian people,” they said in a statement, according to the Jerusalem Post.

A Fatah official said the results of the elections show that many Israelis support extremist parties that are very hostile to the Palestinians.

“The presence of these parties in the Knesset or the coalition does not bode well for the future of any peace process,” the official added.

Mustafa Barghouti, the secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, also lamented the victory of the “extreme racist right” and the “supporters of apartheid” in the elections.

“Supporters of racism are present in Netanyahu’s camp and among his opponents. They are all hostile to peace and the rights of the Palestinian people,” Barghouti said in a statement.

He added that the results show the “absence of any opportunities for meaningful negotiations with the next Israeli government.”

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