Joint List Recommends Eisenkot for PM, Cites Strategic Choice Over Affection
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Members of the Joint List visited Israel's President Yitzhak Herzog on Thursday to recommend Gadi Eisenkot as their candidate for prime minister. The list stated this was a strategic choice to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not out of affection for Eisenkot. The delegation also criticized ongoing incitement by government officials and Yair Netanyahu. President Herzog questioned their commitment during security crises, while the Joint List emphasized their pursuit of peace and Palestinian self-determination.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Joint List recommended Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister to President Herzog.
- The list called the decision a strategic choice to oust Netanyahu, not out of affection.
- The delegation criticized incitement by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Ben-Gvir.
- President Herzog questioned the Joint List's commitment during security crises.
- The Joint List emphasized their goal of Palestinian self-determination and peace.
Members of the Joint List visited the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Thursday to recommend Gadi Eisenkot as their candidate for forming the next government. The delegation included the list's head, Yosef Jabareen, and Knesset Members 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 of National Security, comparing it to antisemitic rhetoric if the terms were reversed.
Jabareen further condemned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's "Judaization of the Negev and Galilee" 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, a lesser of two evils, rather than personal affection, acknowledging potential disagreements on many issues. He assured that their external support for a future government would not be a short-term guarantee, emphasizing strategic decisions aligned with their values and pursuit of peace.
President Herzog questioned the Joint List's commitment during security crises, referencing their lack of support for him in 2015. Jabareen responded that they would make strategic decisions serving their goals, not to bring Netanyahu back to power. Tibi countered Herzog's moralizing by highlighting the Joint List's participation in Vivian Silver's funeral and their welcoming of hostage families, contrasting it with the coalition's actions. Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jabareen reiterated the need for Palestinian self-determination within 1967 borders and a peaceful coexistence with Israel.
The consultations at the President's Residence continued with other parties, including representatives from Eisenkot's camp and the Likud party.
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