Eli Ohana Threatens to Withhold Vote From Netanyahu Over Arab Party Alliance
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Former footballer and TV presenter Eli Ohana has publicly stated he will not vote for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he forms a coalition with the Arab party Ra'am. This strong stance comes amid a political deadlock in Israel, with no clear majority for any bloc. Ohana's warning highlights potential backlash from Netanyahu's base over alliances with Arab parties. Separately, Ohana revealed on television that political tensions had strained his marriage, though his wife later clarified they manage disagreements with humor.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Eli Ohana threatened not to vote for Netanyahu if he allies with the Arab party Ra'am.
- Israel's political deadlock persists with no clear majority for any bloc.
- Avigdor Lieberman has vetoed any coalition involving Arab parties.
- Mansour Abbas of Ra'am expressed openness to cooperation, even with Netanyahu.
- Ohana revealed political tensions strained his marriage, though his wife downplayed it.
The Israeli political landscape is mired in a complex deadlock, with no clear majority emerging for either political bloc. Efforts to form a coalition are stymied by conflicting election promises and rigid red lines. The bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is committed to not supporting him, while Avigdor Lieberman has vetoed any government involving Arab parties like Ra'am and Hadash-Ta'al. Netanyahu's bloc, also short of a majority, faces internal divisions and struggles to gain support, while also attacking potential alliances with Arab parties.
The legitimacy of Arab parties in coalition talks has become a focal point, particularly after Mansour Abbas, chairman of Ra'am, indicated openness to cooperation, even with Netanyahu. This theoretical possibility has ignited fierce debate, with former footballer and TV presenter Eli Ohana issuing a strong public warning. Ohana, a long-time supporter of Netanyahu and the Likud party, declared he would not vote for Netanyahu if such a coalition were formed and urged other supporters to do the same, warning Knesset members who support such a move they would pay a price in future primaries.
Ohana's public stance is seen as indicative of potential backlash from the right-wing base if a partnership with Ra'am materializes. The controversy comes as Ohana also made a rare personal disclosure on the TV program "Ofira, Ohana, Sari." When asked by host Ofira Assaig about the impact of the political climate on his home life, Ohana revealed that the national turmoil had strained his nearly two-decade marriage to his wife, Adi. He admitted they sometimes disagreed strongly but had learned to live with it, noting moments where arguments nearly escalated significantly.
Adi Ohana later clarified on Instagram that while the election period was challenging and the external tension affected their home, she and Eli do not fundamentally disagree. She shared a quote from Professor Yoram Yovel about learning to live with disagreements, adding a laughing emoji, suggesting that despite the high political tensions, the couple maintains humor and balance in their relationship.
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