Arab Blocs Endorse Eisenkot as Netanyahu's Religious Ally Withholds Support

Two major Arab parties in Israel announced on Thursday that they recommend Gadi Eisenkot to lead the next government.

The endorsement arrives as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a weakened position after the loss of support from an ultra-Orthodox ally. President Isaac Herzog is currently conducting the second day of consultations with political parties following the October 27 election. Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot secured a majority in that vote. Herzog will determine who receives the mandate to form a new cabinet. Tradition dictates he selects the candidate recommended by the largest number of parties. Eisenkot now holds that advantage.

Arab-majority lists won a record 19 seats in the recent election. The Joint List, which secured 11 seats, stated it would inform Herzog of its decision to recommend Eisenkot that evening. Raam, which won eight seats, also endorsed the former military chief. These parties serve as potential kingmakers in the 120-member Knesset. Eisenkot’s opposition bloc currently holds 48 seats. Netanyahu’s bloc holds 53 seats. This count includes United Torah Judaism, which has seven seats. Eisenkot could form a government with the help of the Arab parties. However, he risks losing support from some of his own allies. Avigdor Liberman, a former aide to Netanyahu, has criticized the ultra-Orthodox as a drain on the state. Eisenkot has promised to end military service exemptions for religious students. This stance contrasts with the previous government, which preserved exemptions without enshrining them in law while reservists served multiple tours in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.

United Torah Judaism met with Herzog on Thursday. The party, which backed Netanyahu in the previous five elections, declined to recommend him again. It also did not side with Eisenkot. The president’s office stated that the party decided not to recommend any member of the Knesset to form a government. Isaac Pindrus, a lawmaker for the party, said the immediate priority for the next government is sorting out the status of Torah students. Observers suggest the party’s tactic is designed to punish Netanyahu and demonstrate that their votes are not guaranteed. They indicated they would still serve in a government led by him if necessary. The ultra-Orthodox make up about 14 percent of the population and have higher birthrates than secular Israelis. Netanyahu has attacked the opposition for the prospect of allying with Arab lawmakers. In a video filmed in his office and shared on Wednesday, he alleged serious suspicions that foreign powers spent money to influence the election. He questioned the loyalty of Arab citizens. If Herzog gives the mandate to a lawmaker, that person has 28 days to form a government. They may receive a 14-day extension. If they fail, Herzog will task another candidate with the effort.