Netanyahu Breaks Silence, Cautions Against Reliance on Arab Parties

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had remained out of public view for eight days following the Knesset elections, released a video statement on Wednesday evening, November 4th. In it, he labeled Arab parties as "supporters of terror" and asserted that a government relying on their support would be unable to confront "the challenge of radical Islam, which threatens Israel both externally and internally." Netanyahu had previously issued written statements questioning the election results. He now stated, "Only a broad national government led by Likud and under my leadership, including all parts of the national bloc and any Zionist parties that wish to join, can respond to this challenge." The "change bloc" had previously declared they would not rely on Arab parties, but it remains unclear how a government can be formed without their backing. Uncertainty also surrounds the position of Arie Deri, who initially intended to resign as Shas party chairman but reversed his decision following a directive from the party council, pledging to lead the party forward. Like Netanyahu, Deri has not appeared publicly for over a week.

Meanwhile, President Yitzhak Herzog is conducting consultations regarding the Knesset member who will be tasked with forming the government. These consultations are scheduled to continue until Thursday evening, November 5th. After tallying the recommendations from all parliamentary factions, the President will decide whom to assign the mandate. On the evening of November 4th, the Ra'am party, led by Mansour Abbas, decided to support the candidacy of Knesset member Gadi Eisenkot. Shortly thereafter, Rabbi Dov Lando, spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah party (the Lithuanian wing of the United Torah Judaism bloc), decreed that the party's Knesset members would abstain from making recommendations and would not support any candidate. This decision has narrowed Netanyahu's base of support to 46 mandates.