Eisenkot Courts Arab Parties in Desperate Coalition Push
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Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, has opened talks with Israel's Arab parties in a bid to cobble together a coalition after the recent elections, insisting on hardline conditions including recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, has made his first outreach to Israel's Arab parties, in a move that could be critical for forming a government after the recent elections. In a statement on Saturday, Eisenkot set out conditions that any possible coalition partner would have to accept, including recognizing Israel as a Jewish state and acknowledging Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Eisenkot's bloc secured 48 seats, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc received 53. A majority in the Knesset requires at least 61 seats, but a minority government could also be viable if it gains more support than opposition. Even so, Eisenkot faces major obstacles, especially from Avigdor Lieberman of the Yisrael Beitenu party, who has made clear he will not support a government that relies on Arab party backing.
In addition, Yousef Jabareen, leader of the Arab Joint List, refused to call Hamas a terrorist group, which is a key requirement for Eisenkot's coalition. Jabareen said, "I'm not in an interrogation room" when pressed on the issue. The Arab Joint List has condemned the recent violence and attributed high voter turnout in the Arab community to incitement from figures such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister.
Eisenkot has promised to end Hamas's rule in Gaza within 18 months if he becomes prime minister, but it remains uncertain whether Arab parties would support further military action. President Isaac Herzog is expected to consult with party leaders on Wednesday to determine who will be tasked with forming the government, with a 28-day mandate to do so.