Eisenkot rebukes Netanyahu over unsupported claims against Arab parties

Gadi Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming Israel’s next government, condemned what he called a racist campaign against Arab citizens, after caretaker prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Arab parties of electoral fraud without evidence. Israeli electoral authorities rejected the allegations, and Eisenkot said Arab citizens were an integral part of the country.

The dispute comes as Arab-majority parties hold potential leverage in coalition talks. Ra’am and the Joint List won 19 seats in October and could help Eisenkot form a government, though right-wing opposition figures have threatened to withdraw support if he works with them. He has 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension; if he fails, another lawmaker could receive the mandate.