Netanyahu Exploits Coalition Concerns to Undermine Opposition Leader

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly leveraging concerns over potential Arab party involvement in a future government to sow discord within the opposition, particularly targeting opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot. A recent report by "Radio A-Shams" refuted claims that Eisenkot promised to include the Arab party Ra'am in a future coalition during his meetings with Bedouin council heads. Despite the denial, the ensuing controversy reportedly caused significant distress within Eisenkot's camp.

Netanyahu and Likud officials have amplified these concerns, releasing videos and interviews accusing Eisenkot of planning to form a "left-wing government" with Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Arab parties. In response, Eisenkot reiterated his conditions for coalition partners: recognition of Israel's founding principles, its identity as a Jewish and democratic state, and willingness for military or civil service. He added a new condition, seemingly aimed at Ra'am and Netanyahu, stating that parties not recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization to be destroyed by Israel would not be part of his government. Currently, only one designated Ra'am Knesset member, Yoav Segalovitz, reportedly meets this criterion.

The article suggests Netanyahu has successfully created friction between Eisenkot and his opposition ally Avigdor Lieberman over the sensitive issue of Arab political participation. This tension surfaced when Eisenkot urged his partners in an interview to support his leadership, while Lieberman demanded clarity on Eisenkot's potential coalition partners post-election. This public exchange is expected to continue until the elections, with Netanyahu likely to continue portraying Eisenkot as forming a government with "leftist-Arab traitors."

Eisenkot faces a significant challenge in navigating this issue, especially given the post-October 7th political climate, which has seen a shift to the right, making a coalition with Arab parties potentially unappealing to many voters. The article questions whether Eisenkot's distancing from Arab parties is purely an electoral calculation or a genuine policy stance, noting that his ability to form a government may depend on Ra'am's support. The author argues that Eisenkot needs to shift the focus back to his campaign's core issues, such as the October 7th disaster, conscription, international isolation, and the cost of living, rather than getting bogged down in the "campaign" over potential coalition partners.