President Taps Eisenkot for Government, Journalist Slams 'Racist Attacks'

President Isaac Herzog officially tasked Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar!" party, with forming a new government on Sunday. Eisenkot now has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension subject to presidential approval. The mandate's assignment followed a wave of criticism from right-wing elements aiming to delegitimize the move. Some of these attacks were deemed to have crossed the line of acceptable political discourse, sparking controversy over Eisenkot's mandate.

In response to the backlash, veteran journalist Amnon Levy sharply criticized the attackers on his X account. Levy alleged that Eisenkot was enduring "despicable and ugly racism" from " Mizrahi yuppies." He further commented on the public discourse surrounding social divisions, stating, "Later they will complain about exclusion, the Second Israel, and racism, but will continue to be slaves to an Ashkenazi millionaire from Caesarea. Disgusting."

Levy's remarks generated significant online and media attention, particularly given his long-standing focus on these issues. Levy is a highly respected journalist with decades of experience in print, radio, and television. His career has included work at prominent outlets like "Al HaMishmar," "Hadashot," and "Haaretz," and he hosted numerous programs on Channel 2, Channel 10, and Channel 13, focusing on social rifts, the Haredi community, Mizrahi heritage, and discrimination in Israeli society.