Gadi Eisenkot Defends Arab Citizens Amidst Netanyahu's Knesset Attacks
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot defended Arab citizens of Israel against what he termed a "racist and violent" delegitimization campaign, reportedly fueled by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot stated Arab citizens are part of Israeli history and that collective stigmatization violates democratic principles. His comments come during sensitive coalition talks, facing internal resistance from figures like Miriam Peretz, who opposes cooperation with Arab parties.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot defended Arab citizens of Israel against a "racist and violent" delegitimization campaign.
- Eisenkot stated Arab citizens are part of Israeli history and should be represented by the Prime Minister.
- The campaign against Arab parties and citizens was reportedly fueled by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Eisenkot distinguished between Arab citizens and their political representatives, acknowledging potential disagreements.
- Internal resistance to cooperating with Arab parties exists within Eisenkot's Yashar movement.
- Miriam Peretz threatened her son would leave the Knesset if Yashar formed a coalition with Arab parties.
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, publicly defended Arab citizens of Israel three days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's harsh criticism of Arab parties in the Knesset. Eisenkot, tasked with forming the next government, denounced what he called a "racist and violent" delegitimization campaign targeting a community that constitutes 21% of Israel's population. In a statement released Friday, Eisenkot asserted that "Arab citizens of Israel are part of Israeli history," attributing the campaign to Netanyahu and his associates since the election began.
Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff, emphasized that a prime minister should represent all citizens, including those who did not vote for them. He argued that the collective stigmatization of Arab Israelis undermines the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the values of a state that is both Jewish and democratic.
However, Eisenkot distinguished between Arab citizens and their political representatives, acknowledging potential deep disagreements with some Arab parties. He stressed that these differences do not justify indicting an entire community. This stance comes amid sensitive coalition negotiations, where some within Yashar resist cooperation with Arab parties. Miriam Peretz, mother of fallen soldiers and newly elected lawmaker Elyasaf Peretz, stated her son would leave the Knesset if Yashar joined a coalition with Arab parties.
Eisenkot condemned personal attacks and pressure against several Yashar lawmakers and their families, while reaffirming his confidence in Elyasaf Peretz.
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