Blocking Netanyahu isn't the same as governing, Murciano tells DW

The Mitvim chief's interview adds a warning about the ideological divides behind Israel's coalition arithmetic.

Channel:

DW News Story of October 29, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? One of DW News's most watched videos since yesterday, with 160,229 views.

No clear winner emerges from Israel's election | DW News

Things we can learn from the video

Press to jump

0:28DW reports that neither Netanyahu's bloc nor Eisenkot's opposition has secured a clear mandate to govern.
2:35The report highlights Arab-Israeli voter participation and a historic showing for Arab-led parties.
9:19Murciano examines how Ra'am, the Joint List and ideological divisions affect the possible coalitions.
10:21Murciano argues that jointly blocking Netanyahu is possible, but governing together would be much harder.

Arab-led parties could help prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government without being able to build a durable alternative with his opponents, Gil Murciano tells DW News.

His interview adds a distinction to the election's unresolved coalition negotiations: agreement on whom to exclude does not necessarily mean agreement on how to govern.

"If they can block Netanyahu together, that's not science fiction. But to govern together, that will be one hell of a tall order," says Murciano, CEO of Mitvim, the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.

DW reports that Netanyahu's right-wing bloc is projected to fall short of a parliamentary majority. Challenger Gadi Eisenkot would need cooperation with Arab-led parties to form a government, according to the report.

The broadcast highlights what DW describes as a historic showing for Arab-led parties. But Murciano's discussion of Ra'am, the Joint List and their potential partners emphasizes the ideological differences that complicate translating those seats into governing power.

DW correspondent Felix Tamsut describes the Arab-led parties as pivotal to the outcome. Murciano's caution is about what happens after the parliamentary numbers add up.

Published on Trari