Ex-Minister Kahana: Netanyahu's Political Career Over, Won't Form Government With Arab Parties

Former Minister Matan Kahana, number five on the Yisrael party list, stated in an interview with Arutz 7 that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "finished his political path." Kahana, speaking from the party's headquarters after the release of election exit polls for the 26th Knesset, expressed satisfaction with the preliminary results. He argued that the Israeli public has sent a message that Netanyahu should end his political career, partly due to his responsibility for the "failure of October 7th."

Regarding the formation of the next government, Kahana clarified that his party will not establish a government relying on the support of Arab parties, citing their stance on Hamas as a reason preventing such a partnership. The Yisrael party's objective, he explained, is to form a "broad Zionist government."

If an immediate broad Zionist government is not feasible, Kahana indicated that his party would first work to establish a government based on a Zionist majority and then attempt to expand the coalition. He emphasized that the party's core conditions, presented throughout the campaign, remain unchanged. These include preserving the state's Jewish and democratic character, commitment to the Declaration of Independence, service for all, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization.

When asked about potential pressure from the President of Israel or the President of the United States to form a unity government, Kahana expressed confidence that Gadi Eisenkot, the party leader, would withstand such pressure and remain true to his campaign positions. Kahana also mentioned that in the final days of the campaign, the Yisrael party actively engaged with Likud voters to broaden its support base, noting that while the exit polls suggest a significant achievement, the final results are needed to determine its full extent.