Israel: Opposition Leader Eisenkot Tasked with Forming Government as Netanyahu Attacks Arab Parties Citing Europe

The Israeli presidency announced on Saturday evening that President Isaac Herzog will officially task opposition bloc leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government, in a move that puts a temporary end to outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to remain in power. A presidential statement clarified that Herzog summoned Eisenkot to the presidential residence to hand him the mandate on Sunday at 5:00 PM.

Arab Support for Eisenkot and Likud Moves

This mandate follows the legislative elections held on October 27, in which Eisenkot emerged as the frontrunner to form the governing coalition, particularly after securing the endorsement of lawmakers from the Arab parties represented by the 'Joint List' and the 'United Arab List' (Ra'am), which together hold 19 parliamentary seats.

Amid these political maneuvering efforts, the 'Yashar' party led by Eisenkot extended an invitation to members of the 'Likud' party to join the prospective coalition, stating on the 'X' platform that if Likud and its allies are interested in a broad government, they must announce the dissolution of their alliance with extremist factions and agree to join a government led by Eisenkot.

Netanyahu Invokes European Far-Right Rhetoric

For his part, Benjamin Netanyahu escalated his tone in a video address, warning that the establishment of a government relying on those he described as 'Islamists' would dismantle Israel from within. Netanyahu invoked rhetoric that strikingly mirrors the discourse of the far right in European and Western countries, claiming that the potential scenario resembles what he alleged is 'happening in European countries' as a result of Muslim communities—remarks that typically draw widespread criticism and are categorized as Islamophobia.

Netanyahu also continued his attack on Arab parties and figures, claiming they seek to alter the identity of the state. Although Eisenkot has not ruled out cooperating with Arab parties or Haredi Orthodox factions, reports point to backchannel mediation led by Herzog to establish a national unity government—a formula that Netanyahu welcomed once again, but on the condition that he himself remains at its helm with the participation of Zionist parties only.