Joint List Recommends Eisenkot for Prime Minister, Citing Netanyahu's "Racist" Policies

The Joint List announced Thursday evening that it would recommend Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of "Yash!", to form the next government, granting him a decisive 67 recommendations. This decision contrasts with the 46 recommendations received by Benjamin Netanyahu. The Joint List delegation to the President's Residence included MK Ahmad Tibi, MK Ofer Cassif, Yousef Jabareen, Bechar Aouda, and Maha Karkabi.

Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, stated that the recommendation aims to prevent Netanyahu's return to power, criticizing the outgoing government's policies as "racist" and citing the Minister of Finance's plans for the Negev and Galilee as examples of "Judaization" rather than development. Jabareen also accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir of ongoing incitement.

Jabareen further directed criticism at President Yitzhak Herzog, suggesting he had not done enough to counter incitement. Herzog responded by stating he had been "very clear" in his opposition to racism. Dr. Ahmad Tibi conveyed the distress within the Arab community since the war's outbreak, describing a sense of persecution and exclusion, with many Arab citizens facing dismissals and facing incitement despite their contributions and sacrifices.

The Joint List acknowledged that recommending Eisenkot was not a simple decision, noting that the opposition, led by Eisenkot, had not yet demonstrated sufficient willingness to confront Netanyahu's methods or combat incitement against Arab citizens. Nevertheless, they emphasized the importance of widening the gap in recommendations to strengthen the chances of replacing the government and reducing the possibility of a unity government that would keep Netanyahu in power.

With the Joint List's support, Eisenkot now has 67 recommendations from parties including Israel Beiteinu, Ra'am, Democrats, and Together. Netanyahu has 46 recommendations from the Likud, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, and Identity. United Torah Judaism chose not to recommend any candidate. President Herzog is expected to announce his decision on assigning the mandate to form a government following the conclusion of consultations.