Arab‑majority parties in Israel – the Joint List and Ra’am – have announced their backing of Gadi Eisenkot, the main rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his bid to form a governing coalition.
The Joint List and Ra’am represent a significant bloc of Arab‑Israeli voters and have traditionally played a pivotal role in Israel’s fragmented parliamentary landscape, often holding the balance of power in coalition talks.
Eisenkot, a former defence minister, entered the race to replace Netanyahu as the leader of the right‑wing bloc, positioning himself as a centrist alternative capable of attracting a broad spectrum of parties.
By extending support to Eisenkot, the Arab parties signal a willingness to cooperate with a government that could differ markedly from Netanyahu’s long‑standing administration, potentially influencing policy priorities and the composition of the cabinet.
The endorsement adds a new dimension to the ongoing negotiations following Israel’s latest election, as all sides seek the necessary parliamentary majority to establish a stable government.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
