Politics1 min read

'Show courage' and end Netanyahu's government, Tibi urges Israeli opposition leader

By · Via Middle East Eye · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Ahmad Tibi made his direct appeal to opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot during an appearance on the David Hearst Podcast. The lawmaker argued that shutting Palestinian Knesset members out of coalition building runs contrary to democratic principles. Palestinian parties now represent a crucial barrier to power after capturing 19 seats in the recent parliamentary race. Without their cooperation, neither primary political camp can secure the required 61-seat majority to take control.

Key points

  • Neither major political bloc can assemble a 61-seat majority without negotiating with Pal…: Neither major political bloc can assemble a 61-seat majority without negotiating with Palestinian representatives.
  • Arab parliamentary leaders are actively challenging the political precedent that excludes…: Arab parliamentary leaders are actively challenging the political precedent that excludes them from government formation.
  • Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure faces increased pressure as rival factions weigh unprecedente…: Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure faces increased pressure as rival factions weigh unprecedented coalition partnerships.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Speaking to David Hearst, Palestinian lawmaker Ahmad Tibi urged Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to show political courage and work with Arab parties to end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule.

"I hope Eisenkot will be courageous enough to go forward and form a minority government, which will end this government of Netanyahu immediately," Tibi said.

In the latest episode of the David Hearst Podcast, Ahmad Tibi, founder and leader of the Ta’al party, said there was no democratic justification for ruling out cooperation with Palestinian representatives in the Knesset this time around.

Tibi’s party is part of the Joint List, alongside two other Palestinian-led parties, Hadash and Balad. Together, they won 11 seats. Another Palestinian party, Ra’am, secured eight, giving the two slates a combined 19 seats - a record for Palestinian parties in parliament.

The results mean that neither a Netanyahu-led nor an Eisenkot-led bloc can secure a 61-seat majority without Palestinian parties.

Speaking to David Hearst, Palestinian lawmaker Ahmad Tibi urged Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to show political courage and work with Arab parties to end Prime…

Politics