Israeli Opposition Leader Gets Most Recommendations to Form Ruling Coalition in Rebuke of Netanyahu

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot got the most recommendations to build a government coalition, paving the way for him to get the first shot at doing so and potentially remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office.

Eisenkot already had more recommendations than Netanyahu, but on Thursday he got the backing of the Joint List, an Arab party comprised of three smaller blocs. The party said in a statement that the decision was unanimous and comes in response to the " public demand to prevent Netanyahu and his government from returning to power."

The party went on to note that removing Netanyahu from power is paramount even though the opposition has so far not shown enough willingness to "confront Netanyahu's path, as well as to fight incitement against Arab citizens and attempts to undermine the legitimacy of their political decision."

Eisenkot now has 67 recommendations, with 61 backings needed to form a coalition. However, the recommendations don't mean the parliament members will effectively join an eventual government.

Last week's elections caused a political stalemate as no political coalition won the 61 seats necessary to form a Knesset majority. Instead, parties that make up Netanyahu's ruling bloc won 53 seats, while the so-called "Zionist opposition" bloc won 48. The Arab parties, Ra'am and the Joint List, won a total of 19 seats, which means they could be the kingmakers in forming a government with either coalition. Eisenkot got recommendations from all opposition and Arab blocs.

Elsewhere, Arab party Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas condemned terrorism and political violence as he also seeks to remove Netanyahu, but stopped short of calling Hamas a terrorist organization, asking President Isaac Herzog to leave him "space to bridge" and "influence the other side."

"We are a bridge. Don't turn us into supporters of terrorism and traitors," Abbas said. "Leave me a space to protect myself and my family as well."

Netanyahu has been far more intransigent than his main rival with regards to an alliance with Arab parties. The current Israeli leader has repeatedly ruled out partnering with them.

This week, Netanyahu's X account has posted various video compilations of the Arab parties and their supporters and representatives accompanied by the phrase "it is forbidden to form a government with them." He also accused Ra'am of benefiting from unproven foreign interference campaigns and stealing the elections.

Last Saturday, large anti-Netanyahu protests were held in Tel Aviv as thousands demanded that the opposition and Arab leaders unite to ensure Netanyahu, who has been in office for a (non-consecutive) total of 19 years, is removed from power.