Likud Accuses Arab Lawmaker Tibi of Plotting Government Formation

The Israeli political landscape is experiencing a significant stir following statements made by Knesset Member Ahmed Tibi on a television program. Tibi asserted that the removal of the current government and the replacement of the Knesset speaker would be impossible without the involvement of Arab parties. This declaration has drawn a sharp rebuke from the ruling Likud party, which issued a statement claiming Tibi's remarks expose the true intentions of opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan. Likud contends that electing these politicians would lead to Arab lawmakers controlling key state levers.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also criticized Tibi, suggesting on social media that Tibi's comments stemmed from dissatisfaction over losing the deputy speaker position. Ohana posited that Tibi is publicly outlining a post-election scenario aimed at replacing the current parliamentary leadership with a left-wing candidate to form a coalition government. Ohana stated that Israeli citizens have received direct evidence of preparations for a minority government supported by Arab politicians and urged voters to participate actively in the upcoming elections to prevent this outcome.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Likud's stance, agreeing that Tibi's words confirm the preparation of a left-wing government potentially led by Eisenkot and Lieberman, in conjunction with Yair Golan and Arab parties.