Joint List Recommends Eisenkot for PM, Cites Strategic Choice Over Affection

Members of the Joint List visited the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Thursday to recommend Gadi Eisenkot as their candidate to form the next government. The delegation included the head of the list, Yosef Jabareen, and MKs Ahmad Tibi, Bachar Atzour, Maha Karkabi-Sabag, and Ofer Cassif.

Despite recommending Eisenkot, the Joint List stated that the decision was not simple. They expressed a strong determination to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but noted that the opposition has not yet shown sufficient readiness to confront his methods. Jabareen told reporters that the list intends to leverage its 11 mandates to unseat the "racist, fascist government" of Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich. He also criticized ongoing incitement by the Prime Minister and Minister Ben-Gvir, comparing it to antisemitic rhetoric if the terms were swapped for "Arab" in a European context.

Jabareen further condemned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's "Judaization of the Galilee and Negev" plan as racist and criticized Yair Netanyahu for suggesting Arab citizens pose a threat to Israel's survival. MK Tibi explained their support for Eisenkot as a strategic choice, not born of affection, acknowledging significant disagreements but opting for the "lesser of two evils" to prevent a worse outcome. He asserted that the Joint List provides a safety net for the opposition, not a guarantee for short-term government stability.

During the conversation, President Herzog recalled that in 2015, when he was involved in coalition talks, the Joint List did not support him. He questioned whether they would withdraw support during a significant security conflict, to which Jabareen responded that they would make strategic decisions serving their goals and values, aiming for peace. Herzog also asked when they would actively combat terror events, especially after many Arab citizens were killed on October 7th. Tibi countered that they were not lecturing on the severity of the event, citing his and Ayman Odeh's attendance at Vivian Silver's funeral, contrasting it with the right-wing's accusations of terror support. He also highlighted that coalition MKs attacked hostage families, while the Joint List welcomed them.

Regarding the Abraham Accords and Trump's peace plan, Jabareen stated that the core issue remains Palestinian self-determination within 1967 borders, with a state living peacefully alongside Israel, which he believes offers hope and change. The consultations at the President's Residence continued with other parties, including representatives from Eisenkot and the Likud party.