Joint List backs Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister in Israel

Following the general elections held last week, the Joint List, an alliance of Arab-led parties in Israel, officially announced its support for opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government. The coalition, which holds a record 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset, stated that its decision aims to prevent the return of outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to power.

With the support of the Joint List, Eisenkot has secured 67 recommendations to lead the government, significantly outpacing Netanyahu's 46, while the United Torah Judaism party with seven seats has opted to abstain. Despite the numerical lead, the path to a stable coalition remains complex. Internal disagreements persist among the four Jewish opposition parties regarding the potential inclusion of Arab factions in a governing coalition. Key figures like Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett have explicitly ruled out formal partnerships with Arab parties, while Avigdor Lieberman has rejected the formation of a minority government.

President Isaac Herzog is expected to receive these recommendations today. The ongoing political deadlock remains unresolved, as the President has expressed skepticism regarding the long-term viability of a minority government, and the opposition remains divided on how to proceed with coalition negotiations.