Middle East Eye
centerREPORTEven if Netanyahu is voted out, Israel's ethnic cleansing agenda will continue apace

Submitted by Antony Loewenstein on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 16:45 Palestinians are being attacked and displaced on a regular basis - and none of the prime minister's potential successors elucidate a different future An Israeli settler stands among Israeli forces gathering near Palestinian protesters in the village of Idna, in the occupied West Bank, on 5 June 2026 (Hazem Bader/AFP) On Naftali Bennett, the former Israeli prime minister and aspirant for the top job in this year’s election, was upset. He
Full BriefGenerated 13h ago
What Happened
The provided text outlines the political landscape in Israel ahead of potential elections, noting that prominent figures such as Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan maintain hardline stances regarding the conflict with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. The report highlights that despite potential leadership changes, there is little evidence of a shift in policy regarding the occupation of the West Bank or the military campaign in Gaza. Separately, the text documents ongoing security concerns for Palestinian residents in the Masafer Yatta area of the southern West Bank, specifically in the community of al-Mirkaz. According to the report, residents of al-Mirkaz face regular harassment and property destruction from Israeli settlers residing in nearby outposts, a situation that has intensified since 7 October 2023.
Key Actors
- ·Benjamin Netanyahu(Prime Minister of Israel)Advocates for a military-focused strategy against Iran and the continued suppression of Palestinian political ambitions.
- ·Naftali Bennett(Former Prime Minister of Israel)Criticizes the current government's security achievements while maintaining a stance that rejects Palestinian sovereignty.
- ·B'Tselem(Israeli human rights organization)Provides field research and documentation regarding the vulnerability of Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Why It Matters
The analysis suggests that the core tenets of Israeli security and settlement policy remain consistent across the mainstream political spectrum, indicating that the current trajectory of the conflict in the West Bank and Gaza is unlikely to change regardless of future election outcomes.
Watch For
Monitor the upcoming Israeli election cycle for shifts in political rhetoric and observe whether the reported settler violence in the Masafer Yatta region leads to further displacement of Palestinian farming communities.
Generated 13h ago · Based on full articleAuto-Compiled
This page aggregates and summarizes reporting from Middle East Eye. The Conflict Pulse does not author original reporting. Read the original source for full coverage.
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