Likud Won't Sit With Arab Party, Minister Cohen States

Likud Minister and Political-Security Cabinet member Eli Cohen asserted that his party will not join any government that includes the United Arab List, emphasizing that Likud rejects forming a government reliant on any non-Zionist party. In a special interview, Cohen stated that Likud needs to secure 30 seats or more to form the next government, expressing hope for this outcome in the general elections.

Regarding the possibility of relying on Arab parties, particularly the United Arab List led by Mansour Abbas, as the sole option for the right-wing to remain in power, Cohen dismissed this scenario. He added that Arab parties must first recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization and acknowledge the Jewish nature of the state before any political cooperation.

Cohen also addressed a Haaretz newspaper report concerning Prime Minister Netanyahu's alleged warnings before the October 7th events, refuting the report as "absolute lies" and suggesting that certain entities are attempting to undermine the government. He accused Britain and France of hypocrisy regarding sanctions on settlement products, questioning why similar sanctions are not imposed on the Palestinian Authority, which he alleged diverts funds to those who kill Jews.

Concerning settler violence, Cohen stated that perpetrators should be punished and indicted, but stressed that the government's policy in Judea and Samaria will not change. He also commented on Gadi Eisenkot's statements about forming a minority government.