Eisenkot slams Netanyahu’s ‘racist’ campaign against Palestinian Israelis

Gadi Eisenkot has accused caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies of fuelling a racist and violent campaign against Palestinian citizens of Israel during the election. He said the prime minister must represent all citizens and that smearing an entire community is unacceptable, as Arab-led parties gained significant influence in a closely divided parliament.

Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats, Netanyahu’s bloc 53, and Arab-led parties a record 19; 61 seats are needed for a majority. Although those parties have backed Eisenkot, he has ruled out governing with them, while support from two ultra-Orthodox parties would give him exactly 61 seats. He has six weeks to form a government and says he wants to do so quickly.