Arab Parties Hold Key to Ousting Netanyahu After Gains — SkimNews
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- Israeli opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot is projected to win 48 Knesset seats, positioning it to replace Netanyahu’s far-right coalition after his bloc lost 11 seats and fell to 53.
- Arab parties won a record 19 seats on Tuesday, driven by unprecedented turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel who defied suppression and racist incitement during the election.
- Mansour Abbas of Ra’am signaled willingness to help bring down Netanyahu, having previously backed right-wing coalitions, but his seven seats alone are insufficient for a majority.
- Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List declared the choice is 'either Bibi or Tibi' and demanded concrete concessions on Arab community rights and Palestinian self-determination in exchange for support.
- Gadi Eisenkot ruled out coalition talks with Arab parties unless they recognize Israel as a Jewish state, accept conscription for Palestinian citizens, and denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization.
- Yair Golan urged Eisenkot to overcome fear and racism, stating that Netanyahu lost and Israeli democracy requires including Arab citizens to achieve a decisive political shift.
- Eitan Tzelgov warned the opposition faces a binary choice: govern with Arab parties or enable Netanyahu’s return, as internal divisions and US political dynamics may favor a right-wing realignment.
Why it matters: The Arab parties’ 19-seat gain gives them unprecedented leverage in government formation, forcing Jewish opposition leaders to either break a long-standing taboo on Arab inclusion or risk perpetuating Netanyahu’s policies. Failure to unite could trigger another election and deepen political paralysis.
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