Eisenkot Needs Support from Arab Parties to Oust Netanyahu
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot is increasingly likely to need the support of Arab parties representing Palestinians to remove Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power. Analysts believe the final election results are unlikely to change significantly, making Eisenkot’s decision on whether to seek Arab parties’ backing crucial to forming a government. The Guardian reported this on Thursday, October 29.
Israel’s 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, requires 61 seats for a majority government. With 91 per cent of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s coalition is projected to win 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot is expected to secure 48. Arab parties are projected to win a record 19 seats. Neither side has secured the majority required to form a government independently.
Analysts say support from Arab parties could open the way for Eisenkot’s opposition bloc to form a government. However, some Jewish-led opposition parties are reluctant to form a formal alliance with Arab parties. Despite the numbers offering a potential path to power, reaching a political agreement is likely to prove difficult.
Yousef Jabareen, leader of the Arab-majority Joint List, said his bloc was ready to help form an alternative government to Netanyahu’s. However, it is considering offering support from outside the governing coalition rather than joining a coalition government directly. Such backing could allow Eisenkot to form a minority government, although doubts remain about its stability.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s Likud party has accused Arab parties of irregularities in the electoral process. However, the report said no specific evidence had been made public to substantiate the allegations.
As vote counting and coalition negotiations continue, uncertainty persists over Israel’s next government. The key question is whether an agreement can be reached with Arab parties or whether some members of the opposition will move towards forming a government with Netanyahu.
Source: The Guardian
