The key facts

  • Eisenkot accused Netanyahu and his circle of a racist campaign against Arab citizens for political gain
  • Arab citizens make up 21% of Israel's population, the politician emphasized
  • Eisenkot received the mandate to form a government after the October 27 elections and has 28 days plus a possible 14-day extension

Accusations against the outgoing prime minister

Israel's prime minister-designate Gadi Eisenkot on Friday accused outgoing prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fueling a 'racist and hostile' campaign against the country's Arab citizens for political gain. In a detailed post on the X platform, he noted that Arab citizens make up 21% of Israel's population and, since the start of the election campaign, have faced a 'racist and violent campaign of delegitimization' which, according to him, is being fueled by the outgoing prime minister and his circle.

'Prime minister of all citizens'

'The prime minister of Israel is the prime minister of all citizens, including those who did not vote for him,' Eisenkot said. He stressed that Arab citizens are 'part of Israeli history,' and that attempts to marginalize them and collectively smear their reputation contradict the principles of responsible political practice. According to him, disagreements with representatives of Arab parties are legitimate, but an attack on an entire community is unacceptable.

Coalition talks

At the same time, Eisenkot reported progress in negotiations with parliamentary blocs and expressed readiness to consider all options for forming a stable coalition under his leadership. He warned that failure to form a government would be a 'serious mistake' and noted that 'difficult and important weeks' lie ahead. He also spoke about his meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday, emphasizing that Israel's security must not be used for political purposes and that the outgoing government must remain under oversight during the transition period.

Context of the mandate

Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot, leader of the Yeshar party, with forming a government on Sunday, after parliamentary factions representing 67 deputies recommended him, while 46 supported Netanyahu. Eisenkot has 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. The mandate followed the parliamentary elections of October 27, in which neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition won an absolute majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.