With Israel’s parliamentary election approaching, concerns are growing that the country’s increasingly polarised political environment is further intensifying pressure on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
According to Palestinian political observers and rights advocates, Israeli domestic politics is once again placing Palestinian lives and land at the centre of an increasingly aggressive competition for support from hard-right and extremist political forces.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing multiple criminal proceedings while fighting for his political future, is seeking to maintain support from Israel’s powerful right-wing bloc. Critics argue that the political struggle for survival has contributed to policies involving continued settlement expansion, increased funding for settler infrastructure and a tougher approach towards Palestinians.
The issue of settlements remains at the heart of the political debate. In July 2026, the Israeli government allocated approximately USD 431 million to support the establishment of 34 settlements in the occupied West Bank, along with an additional USD 356 million for infrastructure projects, particularly roads linked to settlement expansion.
The United Nations has also raised concerns over the growing displacement of Palestinian communities. Since January 2023, 127 Palestinian communities have reportedly experienced full or partial displacement, including 47 communities that were completely displaced, affecting more than 6,390 Palestinians.
Violence involving extremist settlers has also emerged as a major concern. According to Israeli security data cited by rights groups, settler-related incidents increased by 27 per cent in 2025, while serious attacks, including shootings and arson, rose by more than 50 per cent. During the first half of 2026, settler attacks reportedly increased by a further 63 per cent compared with the second half of 2025.
The political rhetoric surrounding Palestinians has also become increasingly controversial.
On August 16, 2026, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly called for a significant escalation in targeted killings in Gaza. He also reiterated his support for Palestinian emigration, the re-establishment of Jewish settlements across Gaza and Israeli control over the territory.
Meanwhile, senior members of Israel’s far-right government have openly spoken about preventing the creation of a Palestinian state. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has previously advocated policies aimed at expanding Israeli control over the occupied West Bank, while government measures in the territory have been described by some Israeli officials as moving towards “de facto sovereignty.”
Palestinian leaders and human rights advocates say the situation is no longer limited to political statements and is instead having serious consequences on the ground.
They argue that continued settlement expansion, displacement and settler violence are steadily changing the reality in the occupied Palestinian territories and making the possibility of a negotiated political settlement increasingly difficult.
The terminology used to describe settler violence has also become a subject of debate. While some Israeli officials have described extremist settler attacks as acts of “terrorism” or “Jewish terror,” others have used less severe descriptions.
Former Israeli Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, along with several former military and security officials, have previously described extremist settler violence as a serious form of terrorism.
Even U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, despite his strong support for Israel, has reportedly described some extremist settler attacks as acts of terror.
As Israel moves closer to its parliamentary election, analysts fear that political parties may increasingly compete for the support of hard-right voters by adopting tougher positions on the Palestinian issue.
Palestinian representatives and rights groups have urged the international community not to wait until after the election to respond. They have called for immediate action to halt settlement expansion, prevent forced displacement, ensure accountability for violence against civilians and protect Palestinian rights under international law.
With the election campaign gaining momentum, Palestinians remain deeply concerned that their land, security and future could once again become part of Israel’s domestic political battle.
For millions of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, the outcome of Israel’s election may determine not only the direction of Israeli politics but also the policies that shape their daily lives.
As Israel prepares to cast its ballots, Palestinians fear that once again, political power will be won at the cost of their rights, their land and their lives.
