In Israel, the fading of the Netanyahu era

Irrespective of the party in power in Israel, ties with India will remain robust

Israel is at an impasse after its deadlocked national elections. But the results seem to mark the ebb tide of Binyamin Netanyahu’s domination of that country’s politics. The incumbent Israeli prime minister called a second national election after failing to secure a ruling majority in polls held five months ago. It made no difference: the left-centre Blue and White coalition of Benny Grantz has won two more seats than Mr Netanyahu, though still falling far short of a majority in the Knesset. But it is notable Mr Netanyahu has now twice failed to bring on board rival rightwing parties, and his hardening posture on security issues has resulted in a surge in Israeli Arab turnout. His political invincibility seems irretrievably shattered.

While there will be some talk of Prime Minister Narendra Modi losing an important friend, there will be no major disruption of the India-israel relationship. It was a liberal Israeli politician, the late Shimon Peres, who elevated the relationship to where it is today. With the Modi government now interested in tapping Israel’s world-beating capacities in water technology, New Delhi’s only concern will be stability in Tel Aviv. In any case, there is little foreign policy difference between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz. The latter’s coalition is largely built around a dislike for Mr Netanyahu than any serious policy difference.

The fading of the Netanyahu era is also a cautionary tale of the limits of nationalist politics in any multicultural polity. He carried out major market reforms, but kept pushing the envelope on the ideological front. His attempts to weaken the Supreme Court to avoid corruption charges and consider taking over the Jordan River valley only strengthened his foes. Israel’s next government will inherit the most threatening external environment that it has had since the 1960s. It could probably do with a government more capable at tending the home fires.