Education Minister Yoav Kisch Clarifies Likud Won't Join Government Under Gadi Eizenkot

Education Minister Yoav Kisch initially suggested on Monday that the Likud party might consider joining a broad government led by Gadi Eizenkot. In an interview with Sefi Vinir on Galei Tzahal, Kisch said, "We will form the government and Netanyahu will be prime minister." He added that if Eizenkot told Netanyahu, 'Either you come or I rely on Arab votes,' such a move could be legitimate, though he noted that "everywhere they say they will not do this."

Following public reaction, Kisch quickly clarified his remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing, "As a right-wing man and a Likud member under Benjamin Netanyahu, I make clear: a right-wing government will never rely on Arab parties or the Muslim Brotherhood list." He criticized Eizenkot, stating, "It is time for Eizenkot to stop hiding behind boycotts and answer the public's real question: is he willing to drag the country into a dangerous government relying on terror supporters that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state?"

Kisch concluded by inviting Eizenkot and other faction leaders to accept the core principles of the national camp and join a broad national government headed by Prime Minister Netanyahu. This statement underscores Likud's firm stance against forming a coalition dependent on Arab parties and reaffirms Netanyahu's leadership in any future government formation.

The remarks come amid ongoing political tensions in Israel regarding coalition possibilities and the role of Arab parties in government formation. Kisch's clarification aims to reaffirm Likud's position and counter speculation about potential alliances under Eizenkot's leadership.