The Arab Party Supports Eisenkot to Lead the Formation of a New Government

Nov 05 (Jowhar)- As Israel heads towards another tense coalition war, a party leading the Arabs and Israel has stated that it will support opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot in his attempt to form the next government after last week's elections did not yield a clear victory.

“The parliamentary group of the Arab List of the United Arab Emirates has decided to recommend Eisenkot to form the next government,” the party known by the Hebrew name Raam stated in a statement.

The announcement came shortly before consultations with President Isaac Herzog, who is meeting with political groups while weighing who will be given the first mandate to form a governing coalition after neither secured a majority.

In earlier remarks, Mr. Herzog urged party leaders to recognize the limits of campaign promises after the parliament was dissolved.

“I am not asking anyone to compromise their fundamental values. But the current reality, with no clear winner after the elections, I am asking for originality and creativity, courage and goodness, for the State of Israel to emerge victorious,” the president said when he received the official results.

Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, Mr. Herzog's decision on who will make the first attempt at coalition coordination could shape weeks – or even months – of negotiations, with the worst-case scenario ending in another trip to the polls.

Mr. Herzog is beginning a two-day consultation today with the parties, starting with the radical Religious Zionism.

The president's office has stated that he has intentionally begun discussions with smaller parties, hoping to hear all perspectives, and he will wait until tomorrow to meet with the largest party – Likud on the right wing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar, which is a broad party in the center-right that was started by Mr. Eisenkot, a former military chief.

Protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have taken place in West Jerusalem.

In terms of numbers, neither Mr. Netanyahu nor Mr. Eisenkot commands the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member parliament.

Mr. Netanyahu's party has an advantage, holding 53 seats compared to Mr. Eisenkot's 48 seats.

Support from Ra'am is crucial because Mr. Eisenkot could cross the threshold by collaborating with parties representing the Arab minority in Israel, whose representatives have reached 19 seats while being frustrated with Mr. Netanyahu's center-right government.

However, parts of the opposition have hesitated about relying on non-Jewish lawmakers to govern.

Mr. Netanyahu has called for a broad coalition government without the Arab lists, after accusing Arab groups of “stealing” votes.

The Attorney General of Israel yesterday called on the Shin Bet intelligence agency to share the progress of its investigation into allegations of electoral fraud by Arab parties in Israel, stating that no evidence has yet been submitted.

The Arab and Israeli leaders strongly rejected the claims, while Mr. Eisenkot accused Mr. Netanyahu and his Likud party of attempting to create "opposition against democracy."

The opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot promised to quickly form a government.

Mr. Herzog, a moderate lawyer whose political career was with the now-defunct left-wing Labor Party but is now officially nonpartisan, stated that he wants to promote a "new thought" to avoid new elections.

"It is important to seize every opportunity, expand dialogue, and explore every path that could advance the process," his office said in a statement, adding that he could hold additional rounds of consultations before making his decision.

According to Israeli law, once Mr. Herzog is tasked with the mission, the appointed person has 28 days to form a government, with the possibility of extending it by 14 days.

If no one succeeds, Mr. Herzog will give the position to someone else. If that also fails, most politicians can come together to appoint someone within 21 days – otherwise, Israel will move to new elections.

The formation of a coalition can be lengthy: after the November 2022 elections, it took Mr. Netanyahu – whose Likud performed better at that time – 58 days to form a government.

Israel has held five elections between 2019 and 2022 after failing to reach an agreement.

Mr. Netanyahu, who is Israel's longest-serving leader, has been in power for nearly twenty years.

The Prime Minister of Israel is facing allegations of corruption and the risk of imprisonment if he loses power and, along with it, immunity.

In recent days of the campaign, he has repeatedly warned that he will order a full-scale war against Iran in conjunction with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Mr. Eisenkot on election night warned the military not to take orders that suit "the political needs of Mr. Netanyahu," stating that he has no orders – even if he remains prime minister in office.