Recent major developments in Israeli politics are leading Palestinians to wonder what's next for them. The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted Dec. 26 to hold early elections April 9, nearly eight months ahead of schedule amid internal disputes and crises.
Palestinians know they will play a central role in the Israeli election campaign, with candidates proposing how to deal with them. Right-wing forces led by the Likud and HaBayit HaYehudi refuse to engage the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in negotiations aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the establishment of a Palestinian state. Both Israeli parties support the ongoing siege of Gaza and sporadic military operations against Hamas. Meanwhile, the Zionist Camp and Meretz, from the Israeli center and left, call for negotiations with the Palestinians while ensuring Israeli security interests. They would like to see Hamas sidelined in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority (PA) regain control over the territory.