Likud Suspects Eisenkot is Paving Way for Arab Party Coalition
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Senior Likud officials suspect opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot is preparing the ground for a government coalition that includes Arab parties, should the right-wing bloc not win a majority. Eisenkot recently stated the "accused law," intended to prevent indicted individuals from forming a government, would not apply to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Likud believes this is a strategic move to bypass potential High Court objections to the law and enable Arab party participation in a future government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud fears Gadi Eisenkot is paving the way for a government including Arab parties.
- Eisenkot's "accused law" clarification reportedly aims to bypass High Court challenges.
- The opposition's plan includes controlling the Knesset and passing key legislation.
- Arab parties and Avigdor Lieberman had previously supported Eisenkot's legislative agenda.
- Likud sees Eisenkot's move as an alternative strategy to remove Netanyahu from power.
Senior figures within the Likud party are expressing concern that opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot's recent clarification regarding the "accused law" is a strategic move to enable the formation of a government that includes Arab parties, should the right-wing bloc fail to secure 61 mandates in the upcoming elections. Eisenkot had previously outlined an opposition plan to take control of the Knesset, replace the Speaker, receive the mandate to form a government, and then pass two significant laws: the "accused law" to prevent a prime minister facing criminal charges from forming a government, and a law to establish a state inquiry commission for the October 7th events.
This plan, according to Eisenkot, had garnered support from Arab parties and Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman. However, Eisenkot announced over the weekend that even if the "accused law" passes, it would not apply to Benjamin Netanyahu and his current indictments. Likud sources view this as a significant retreat, attributing it to two motives. The first is Eisenkot's apprehension that the "accused law," if applied retroactively to Netanyahu, would be struck down by the High Court of Justice (Bagatz).
The second, and more worrying motive for Likud, is Eisenkot's alleged attempt to find an alternative path to unseating Netanyahu by forming a government with the participation of Arab parties. "Eisenkot understands that the accused law will not pass the Bagatz test, so he is looking for a bypass route," a senior Likud source stated. "This route is a government with the Arab parties. A scenario Eisenkot was vague about until today, and now he is starting to pave the way for it."
According to Likud officials, Eisenkot's waiver on applying the "accused law" to Netanyahu is intended to make the move appear more legitimate to the public and the High Court, while simultaneously allowing Arab parties to join such a government without being hindered by a personal law.
Mentioned
