Israel: Elections due in March 2020

Event

Israel will hold general elections on Monday, March 2, 2020, the third such vote in a year after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz failed to form a majority coalition in parliament on Thursday, December 12. The two leaders also could not agree on a power-sharing deal.

Election day is a national holiday in Israel and business and governmental disruptions are expected nationwide. Political rallies and protests are possible following the result of the election; a heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be anticipated near all such demonstrations.

Context

Elections in April and September 2019 failed to produce a coalition government. On November 21, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery. According to legal experts, Netanyahu faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bribery and a maximum three-year term for fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu, who has denied any wrongdoing, will not be required to resign from his current post. Netanyahu is currently serving as caretaker prime minister after both he and political rival Benny Gantz failed to form a coalition government. Gantz has demanded that Prime Minister Netanyahu agree not to seek parliamentary immunity from prosecution as a precondition for further talks.

Advice

Individuals in Israel are advised to monitor the situation, avoid public political demonstrations due to the risk of violence, anticipate localized disruptions on September 17, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.