Most Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip expressed skepticism on Thursday that a change in the Israeli government will make any difference, suggesting that the nationalist leader set to succeed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will likely continue the same right-wing agenda. Under a coalition agreement reached on Wednesday, Naftali Bennett, the former head of the main settlement organization in the West Bank, will take on the role of Prime Minister.
Ahmed Rzeiq, a 29-year-old government employee in Gaza, said, "There is no difference between one Israeli leader and another... They are good or bad for their state. But when it comes to us, they are all bad, and they all refuse to give Palestinians their rights and land."
Bassem Salhi, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, stated that Bennett is not less extremist than Netanyahu, adding, "Rather, he will ensure that this extremism is more apparent during this government."
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which governs the Gaza Strip, also stated that there will be no difference resulting from a change in government. Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson, said, "The Palestinian people have experienced dozens of Israeli governments, whether right, left, or center, according to their terms; all have been hostile to the rights of the Palestinian people and have practiced aggressive expansionist policies."
In what would be a precedent in Israel, the ruling coalition will include an Islamic party elected by the Arab minority, which makes up 21 percent of Israel’s population. Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, stated that the coalition agreement will lead to an injection of over 53 billion shekels (16 billion dollars) to improve infrastructure and address violence in Arab cities. However, he faces criticism in the West Bank and Gaza, where his actions are seen as siding with Israel.
Badri Karam, a 21-year-old in Gaza, commented, "He is a traitor. What will he do when they ask him to vote for a new war on Gaza? Will he accept it? To be part of killing Palestinians?"
Bennett has been a strong advocate for annexing parts of the West Bank occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. However, in his recent public comments regarding the issue, he suggested maintaining the status quo, seemingly easing restrictions on Palestinians. Bennett stated, "What I see here is reducing the conflict. We won't resolve it, but we can (improve conditions) as much as possible - more crossings, improving the quality of life, and increased investment and industry - we will do that."
