The leader of the opposition and the person tasked with trying to form the next Government in Israel, Gadi Eisenkot, has denounced this Friday the attacks and slanders of the acting prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, against the Arab citizens, assuring that this minority is being the subject of a “racist and violent” campaign. At the same time, he has defended the need to explore the “majority of change” that emerged in the Knesset.
“Arab citizens of Israel represent 21% of the total population. Since the start of the electoral campaign, they have been the subject of a racist and violent campaign of delegitimization, fueled by the outgoing prime minister and his environment for political reasons,” Eisenkot emphasized in an extensive message on social media, in which he lays out his reflections while in the midst of negotiations to form the new Executive after the elections of October 27. These elections have generated an alternative majority to Netanyahu, although in order to make it a reality the bloc of the former head of the General Staff will have to reach agreements with Arab formations.
In his message, he reiterated that Arab citizens are part of the country’s trajectory and that “the attempt to marginalize and slander them as a group” constitutes an act “contrary to the interest of the State,” in addition to going against Israel’s founding principles.
“It is possible to disagree with the representatives of the Arab parties, even to feel deep rejection toward some of them. But you can’t, it’s not correct, and I won’t allow the slandering of an entire sector of the population,” he warned.
In relation to the conversations to form a Government, the leader of Yashar has reiterated his intention to “move heaven and earth and talk with all the elected public officials” who share the bases set out for a coalition that would remove Netanyahu from power, with the goal of “forming a stable Government as soon as possible.”
“That is what the current moment demands and it is the mandate that you have given me. Not doing it would be a serious mistake. I believe this is the correct way to carry out the negotiations: consolidate the alliance, expand the possibilities, drive creative forms of cooperation and, above all, maintain a dialogue based on principles,” he summarized.
Eisenkot has advanced that “progress” has already been achieved in the talks with the potential partners and that, in parallel, his team is working “to explore all the existing possibilities.”
"Complex weeks" and alternative majority to Netanyahu
The leader of Yashar, whose training obtained 21 seats and who heads the bloc opposed to Netanyahu, has predicted "complex and important weeks" ahead, although he has urged taking advantage of the "change majority" coming out of the ballots.
"I am determined to overcome all the difficulties and challenges in order to form a Government and return Israel to safe harbor," he said, after the first contacts between parties to try to close a coalition pact.
He has emphasized that the parliamentary majority opposed to Netanyahu is already making itself "felt with determination and speed" in the Knesset, citing the appointment of several parliamentary committees. "We appoint excellent people and begin the legislative procedures to establish a state commission of inquiry, while we also begin the repeal of laws that harmed democracy," he said, setting out the roadmap.
In this vein, he has maintained that "the days are over in which the outgoing Government acted with arrogance and trampling, as if it had the playing field empty and no one could oppose it," defending the new balance of forces in the Knesset and assuring that "it will again be the home of the entire people."
Looking ahead to the coming weeks, Eisenkot has warned that, in parallel to the negotiations, "numerous media maneuvers and lies" will emerge to thwart a possible Government agreement. "I recommend taking all that information with caution and not automatically giving it credibility," he said.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu and Eisenkot met on Thursday in a meeting in which they agreed to keep each other informed about the country's "security situation." Despite the opposition leader having the presidential mandate to try to form an executive, Netanyahu insists on pushing for a "unity government" led by his party, Likud, supported by its ultra-Orthodox and far-right allies.