Eisenkot slams Netanyahu’s ‘racist’ campaign against Palestinian Israelis

Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming Israel's new government, posted a lengthy social media update on recent developments in Israel on Friday. He emphasized that Arab citizens of Israel make up 21 percent of the total population and have faced a 'racist and violent campaign of delegitimisation fuelled by the outgoing prime minister and his circle for political reasons.'

Election results

In Israel's October 27 elections, Eisenkot's four-party alliance won 48 seats, while Netanyahu's right-wing and religious bloc secured 53, leaving both short of the 61 needed for a parliamentary majority. Arab-led parties, representing Palestinian citizens of Israel, won a record 19 seats.

Netanyahu repeatedly made unproven allegations of electoral fraud by Arab-majority parties – claims Israel's own electoral authorities have rejected. The caretaker leader has also criticized Arab-led parties for refusing to describe Hamas as a 'terror group' following the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Government formation

Arab-led parties have endorsed Eisenkot to replace Netanyahu. However, Eisenkot has ruled out forming a government with those parties, which would give him a 67-seat bloc. Instead, winning the backing of the two ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, would give him exactly 61 seats.

Security concerns

While Netanyahu may be politically weakened, the prime minister is reported to be weighing military action against Iran, despite a lack of enthusiasm from the United States, his own military establishment, and Eisenkot. Eisenkot has demanded that Netanyahu avoid any new escalation unless it is critical.

Eisenkot, who ran as Netanyahu's main rival, has six weeks to form a new government. On efforts to form an emergency government, he reiterated that he wants to fulfill the mandate as soon as possible, adding 'it would be a grave mistake not to do so'.