Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s standing in the post-election contest to remain Israel’s prime minister deteriorated on Thursday after an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party declined to back any candidate and two Arab-led parties threw their support behind his principal rival. President Isaac Herzog was scheduled to meet Netanyahu and his chief political rival Gadi Eisenkot to determine which of the two to select to form a government, following discussions with smaller parties. He has until 11 November to decide.
Eisenkot Secures Backing from Arab-Led Parties
The Joint List alliance of Arab-led parties stated it would inform President Isaac Herzog of its decision to recommend Eisenkot to form a new government. The Joint List alliance said in a statement: The Joint List announced today, Thursday, that it will inform the President of the State, Isaac Herzog, this evening of its decision to recommend that Gadi Eisencot be tasked with forming the government.
Earlier, Ra’am, an Arab-led party with eight seats, also indicated it would support Eisenkot. After the Joint List’s 11 lawmakers officially present their recommendation, Eisenkot is anticipated to have the support of 67 lawmakers, surpassing the 61-seat majority threshold in the 120-seat Knesset.
On Thursday, Netanyahu suffered a blow when United Torah Judaism, one of two main parties representing ultra-Orthodox Jewish voters and a long-standing Netanyahu coalition partner, refused to endorse any candidate to form a government. Netanyahu’s coalition forfeited its majority, falling to 53 seats in the Knesset. Eisenkot’s anti-Netanyahu coalition encompassing four centre-left to right-wing Jewish-led parties secured only 48 seats. Parties representing Israel’s Arab minority secured a record 19 seats.
Netanyahu Accuses Arab Parties of Tampering
Facing the prospect of losing power, Netanyahu has latched onto an investigation by election authorities into potential vote manipulation to question the outcome. He alleged that Arab-led parties had rigged the vote. Critics charge that Netanyahu and his associates are attempting to invalidate the results, a claim he denies. Election authorities dismissed his accusations, warning of a severe threat to democracy. The prime minister and his Likud party have pointed to a number of incidents, including the apprehension of three political activists who purportedly bribed voters prior to the polls opening.
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The coalition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party is projected to win more total seats than Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition group, according to an exit poll by broadcaster Channel 11. Sky's Middle East correspondent @adamparsons looks at what the exit polls tell us – with… pic.twitter.com/uiDoa2EtpK
