Growing Pressure on Eisenkot to Form a Coalition with Arab Parties

TEHRAN (Defapress) - More than 400 prominent Israeli cultural, artistic, and academic figures have signed a petition urging opposition leaders (the Change camp) to overcome differences and prejudices to form a joint political coalition of Jewish and Arab parties. They stated that such a coalition is essential to pave the way for removing Benjamin Netanyahu's government and establishing a new administration, warning that the survival of the current government poses a serious threat to democracy, deepens international isolation, and escalates violence.

The main addressees of the petition include leaders such as Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Yair Golan, and Avigdor Lieberman. The signatories emphasized that Arab citizens and voters are an integral part of society and the country's vital infrastructure, and that the outstretched hand of Arab parties for reform and participation in governance must not be ignored. Concurrently, demonstrations were held in cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, as well as outside Gadi Eisenkot's residence in Herzliya, where protesters chanted slogans supporting "Jewish-Arab partnership" and demanding the realization of this coalition.

These pressures come as recent election results show Netanyahu's bloc holding 53 seats, the Camp of Change 48 seats, and Arab parties 19 seats, while a minimum of 61 seats in the Knesset is required to form a government. Despite this mathematical necessity, the opposition coalition faces serious internal hurdles, notably Avigdor Lieberman's fierce opposition to relying on Arab parties and Gadi Eisenkot's strict preconditions. Conversely, figures such as Yair Golan have welcomed the partnership, holding meetings with Arab party leaders to explore ways to form an alternative government.