Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Nov 11: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised opposition efforts to form the next government with the support of Arab-majority parties Ra'am and the Joint List, describing the proposed alliance as a "dangerous government".
In a post on social media platform X, Netanyahu accused his political opponents of seeking support from parties he described as supporters of terrorism and said such an arrangement should not be allowed.
"Shame! It is forbidden to form a dangerous government with the terror supporters of Ra'am and the Joint List!" the Likud leader wrote.
His remarks come amid political negotiations following Israel's October 27 elections, which resulted in a hung parliament. Neither of the two major political blocs secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has received the mandate from President Isaac Herzog to form the next government, despite Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc securing more seats in the election.
According to the reported election figures, Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, while Eisenkot's Yashar alliance won 48 seats. However, Eisenkot received recommendations from political representatives commanding 67 parliamentary seats, compared with 46 for Netanyahu.
The support included backing from Arab political factions Ra'am and the Joint List, which together account for 19 seats. Their recommendations helped Eisenkot secure the mandate from Herzog on November 8.
Following his appointment, Eisenkot and his allies have begun negotiations to secure the necessary parliamentary support to form a government and win a confidence vote in the Knesset.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Eisenkot has been given an initial period of 28 days to form the government. If he fails to present an administration for a confidence vote by December 6, the President may grant him an additional 14 days if there are indications that coalition negotiations are progressing. This could extend the deadline to December 20.
Eisenkot's 67-seat backing comprises 48 seats from the Jewish-led opposition alliance, including Yashar, Together, The Democrats and Yisrael Beiteinu. Ra'am accounts for eight seats, while the Joint List contributes another 11.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, received recommendations representing 46 seats, lower than the 53 seats secured by his right-wing bloc in the election. The difference follows the decision of United Torah Judaism (UTJ), which holds seven seats, to withhold its endorsement.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Eisenkot as he attempts to convert the parliamentary recommendations into a functioning coalition. Netanyahu's criticism has further highlighted the political divisions surrounding the possible inclusion of Arab parties in the proposed government.