Israel on Edge: Tense Shabbat Precedes Crucial Elections Amidst West Bank Lockdown and Iran Fears

As Israel approaches a pivotal election on Tuesday morning, a tense Shabbat is underway, with many far-right politicians expected to disconnect from their phones for the religious observance. While the secular community may continue campaigning to some extent, a moment of rest is likely welcomed after a frantic week. The question remains whether anyone can truly relax this weekend, even with a brief respite from travel and a digital detox.

The nation finds itself in a precarious situation, marked by significant events in the occupied West Bank, which is reportedly under a total lockdown following massive attacks. Fears of an imminent new round of fighting with Iran loom, while domestic polls indicate a deadlocked race. Street brawls between supporters of rival parties have erupted, and settlers are reportedly continuing their actions in the occupied West Bank, threatening the crucial Palestinian olive harvest.

On Friday morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the "full closure" of the occupied West Bank after a shooting incident near Hebron injured five people. Palestinian media identified the attackers as 27-year-old Hebron residents Mohammad Jaaba and Firas Jaaba, who the military stated were planning a "large-scale" attack. The incident occurred amidst a number of illegal Israeli settlements in Hebron.

Following the attack, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who resides in the illegal Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron, called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, also described as a radical settler, ordered the "immediate demolition of a wide row of illegal Arab structures adjacent to the attack site." Israeli defense officials have reportedly warned of a potential surge in settler violence post-election, as ultranationalists anticipate a new government might dismantle some of the numerous illegal settlements established during the current administration's tenure.

Inside Israel, candidates are in a final push as polls suggest a stalemate. Some campaign events have turned violent. Michael Illouz, father of Guy Illouz, an Israeli hostage killed in Gaza after the October 7 attacks, reported being assaulted by supporters of Mr. Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. He stated he was protesting the Prime Minister's perceived abandonment of his son when he was attacked by individuals he described as having "no moral conscience." In Jerusalem, a glass bottle was thrown at Mr. Netanyahu's motorcade after a market visit, though no one was injured. Elsewhere, supporters of the Prime Minister reportedly attacked a man who questioned him about alleged financial support to Hamas. Death threats were also found on a billboard featuring Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Zionist party The Democrats.

Defence Minister Israel Katz faced widespread criticism for stating that opposition leaders would be held responsible for future attacks on Israel, naming Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Golan as partners in this alleged responsibility. This statement coincided with warnings from Mr. Katz and the Prime Minister that Israel's adversaries might be attempting to interfere with the elections. Opposition leaders, in turn, have voiced concerns that Mr. Netanyahu might initiate a new conflict with Iran for political gain, aiming to bolster his standing in the polls.