Sharma identifies inquiry and conscription as Israel's post-election fault lines

The former Australian ambassador says heavy turnout does not remove the prospect of prolonged coalition negotiations.

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FULL COVERAGE: Polls close in Israel election | 9 News Australia

Things we can learn from the video

Press to jump

0:15Josh Bavas reports unusually high turnout and tensions over Netanyahu's leadership from Tel Aviv.
1:32Lynda Ben-Menashe interprets participation as a referendum on Netanyahu's handling of the war.
2:49Ben-Menashe connects political change with equal military-service obligations and relations with Jewish communities abroad.
6:46Dave Sharma highlights Arab-Israeli turnout and explains why coalition negotiations could take considerable time.
9:14Sharma identifies October 7 accountability and ultra-Orthodox conscription as differences between Netanyahu and Eisenkot.

An investigation into the failures surrounding October 7 and military service for ultra-Orthodox Israelis are key differences between Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot, former Australian ambassador Dave Sharma says as Israel's polls close.

Speaking from Canberra in Australian broadcaster 9 News Australia's Today coverage, Sharma shifts the discussion from the crowded polling stations to the decisions a future government would face. He highlights accountability for intelligence failures before the Hamas attacks and the question of extending military draft obligations to the ultra-Orthodox.

Eisenkot, the principal opposition challenger, is a former military chief who leads the Yashar party. But a strong election showing would not itself settle who governs. Sharma emphasizes the fragmented parliament and the negotiations needed to assemble a majority, warning of a prolonged process. He also cautions against dismissing Netanyahu's capacity for political survival.

Earlier in the broadcast, correspondent Josh Bavas reports from Tel Aviv on unusually heavy turnout. Lynda Ben-Menashe, president of the National Council of Jewish Women Australia, describes the election as a referendum on Netanyahu's handling of the war and links participation to a desire for change.

Ben-Menashe also discusses equal military-service obligations, a more representative society and the implications for Jewish communities abroad, including in Australia. She explains how the parliamentary entry threshold and the parties in the alternative "Change Bloc" shape the available coalition options.

Sharma draws particular attention to high Arab-Israeli turnout. At the point covered by this broadcast, however, the polls have only just closed and the on-screen bulletin says early exit polls have yet to indicate a winner.

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