Politics and Knesset
With Joint Arab List leader Ahmed Tibi’s confirmation that Balad Party MKs aren’t supporting “General Gantz,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is back at the head of the line to form a government.
A majority of the Arab-Israeli public supports the Arab parties joining the government, and 65 percent feel proud of being Israeli, says study.
The Joint Arab List has reportedly presented the Blue and White Party with a list of demands in exchange for recommending that its leader, Benny Gantz, form the next government.
Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be pushing all the buttons necessary to pressure Benny Gantz into joining his government; their two parties alone would form a majority of 64 seats.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign blamed his inability to enter the United Kingdom on “growing efforts by Israel and its allies to suppress Palestinian voices and the movements for Palestinian rights.”
The timing of the debate is “the latest example of institutional failing” by the party, said JLM, the Labour Party’s Jewish affiliate.
With the bloc in place, the only options are “a government with me as prime minister or a dangerous government that leans on the Arab parties,” says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“The nation of Israel is smarter than its leaders, and the nation voted for unity,” says Israel Democracy Institute vice president Yedidia Stern.
“We have to keep promises made to the electorate,” says Yamina Party leader Ayelet Shaked, “but we also need to see what’s right for the State of Israel, the ideological right and religious Zionism.”
Joint Arab List leaders jubilant after exit polls show the alliance winning as many as 15 seats • Tibi: List will “make a responsible decision” regarding who to recommend to form a government.
“We’re still waiting for the results. But one thing is clear, the State of Israel is at a historic turning point. We are facing immense opportunities, and immense challenges, including the existential threat from Iran,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As senior Blue and White Party member Zvi Hauser told JNS: “There are 200,000 projectiles in the north; war almost erupted in Gaza, there is a 50 billion shekel deficit. There’s no choice but a unity government.”
