The Joint List made the unanimous decision to recommend Gadi Eisenkot in response to public pressure to keep Benjamin Netanyahu out of office. Despite providing the numbers needed to form a government, the party refuses to accept ministerial posts due to Israel's ongoing occupation. Significant friction persists as Eisenkot, an ex-army chief who opposes a Palestinian state, demands partners recognize Israel as a Jewish state and support military conscription.
Key points
Outside backing from Arab lawmakers is crucial for the opposition to successfully block B…: Outside backing from Arab lawmakers is crucial for the opposition to successfully block Benjamin Netanyahu from remaining in power.
The Joint List will not formally join the coalition government while Israel continues its…: The Joint List will not formally join the coalition government while Israel continues its occupation of Palestinian territory.
Eisenkot's demands regarding military conscription and recognizing Israel as a Jewish sta…: Eisenkot's demands regarding military conscription and recognizing Israel as a Jewish state present steep obstacles for the emerging alliance.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The Arab-led Joint List has said it will back Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government, dealing a heavy blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to remain in power.
The Joint List announced on Thursday that it would "recommend that Gadi Eisenkot be tasked with forming the government", bringing the total number of lawmakers backing him to 67 in the 120-seat Knesset.
The decision follows Wednesday's endorsement by Ra'am, another Arab-led party, whose eight lawmakers also backed Eisenkot.
The two parties together secured a record 19 seats in last week's general election, giving them a potentially decisive role in determining who forms Israel's next government.
Netanyahu's right-wing bloc won 53 seats in the 27 October election, while the opposition alliance led by Eisenkot secured 48. A majority in parliament requires 61 seats.
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