Israeli opposition holds first meeting to 'oust Netanyahu'... ‘Arab solidarity’ differences of opinion

(Cairo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Sang-hoon = The Israeli opposition coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli army chief of staff, gathered together for the first time since the general election to discuss ways to form a coalition government to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to local media on the 3rd (local time), Yashar Party leader Eisenko, Biyahad's Baftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Israel Beytenu Party's Avigdor Lieberman, and Democratic Party leader Yair Golan met for the first time since the general election in Herzliya, where Eisenkot lives.

Representatives of the opposition parties agreed on this day to fully support the formation of a coalition government led by Eisenkot.

Immediately after the meeting, former Prime Minister Bennett confirmed that his Biyahad Party fully supports Eisenkot's efforts to form a coalition government.

Former Prime Minister Bennett emphasized to the opposition coalition members that they must quickly replace the current Knesset Chairman Amir Ohana, a member of the Likud Party, and secure the authority to form a 'Zionist government for national reconstruction' to achieve a revolution.

Former Prime Minister Lapid also emphasized before the meeting, "The past few days have once again reminded us that Netanyahu and his associates must be kicked out of the Prime Minister's Office," and added, "What we need to do now is to quickly form a government."

In this general election, no force secured a majority (more than 61 seats).

The Eisenkot-led opposition coalition only secured 48 of the 120 Knesset seats, while Netanyahu's camp only secured a total of 53 seats, including 27 seats for the Likud party.

Thanks to high voter turnout, the Arab political party created a sensation by securing 19 seats and emerged as a powerful casting power.

Netanyahu's side is repeatedly asserting that Arab political parties committed illegal acts such as election fraud.

If Arab parties join the opposition coalition, Eisenkot's camp can secure a majority of seats.

However, even within the opposition party, positions are divided on whether to show solidarity with them.

Lieberman, leader of the Israel Beitenu Party, which is included in the opposition coalition, left a message that day that a coalition government excluding Arab parties could be formed and argued that there should not be another election.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party leader Golan met with Youssef Jabarin and Ahmad Tibi, leaders of the Arab political party Joint List, for the first time before the opposition meeting.

The Democratic Party said in a statement, "The three people intensively discussed follow-up measures necessary to utilize the majority of seats in Congress to replace the Netanyahu government and ways to coordinate between political factions."

In addition, he said, "We also exchanged opinions on major issues affecting Arab citizens and the need to pursue practical solutions. The two sides agreed to continue to coordinate ahead of future political actions with the goal of forming a so-called 'government of change.'"