Israel: the president of the republic instructs Gadi Eisenkot, main opponent of Benjamin Netanyahu, to form a coalition government

The leader of the opposition bloc to outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, will be officially tasked on Sunday with forming the next Israeli government, the presidency said on Saturday evening. “President Herzog invited Gadi Eisenkot to the presidential residence, where he will entrust him tomorrow, at 5 p.m., with the mission of forming the government,” according to a press release. Earlier in the day, outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that a coalition government between the opposition bloc and Arab parties would lead to the collapse of the State of Israel.

At the end of the legislative elections of October 27, the leader of the opposition bloc, Gadi Eisenkot, who received the support of the Arab parties the Joint List and Raam (19 deputies), appeared to be best placed to form a government. His party on Saturday called on members of Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu's party, to join him in the next government. “If Likud and its allies suddenly become interested in 'unity' and a large government, they are welcome to publicly announce the dissolution of their alliance with the extremists (...) and their desire to join a government led by (...) Eisenkot,” the Yashar party wrote on X.

Towards a government of national unity?

“Such a government, dependent on the Islamists, will dismantle the State of Israel from the inside, as is happening in European countries, and in much more serious proportions,” warned Benjamin Netanyahu in a video address. This statement echoes the rhetoric regularly made by Western far-right politicians and commentators, who baselessly assert that certain regions of Europe are subject to Islamic law because of the immigrant populations living there, sparking accusations of Islamophobia. Netanyahu has increased attacks against Arab parties, which he presents as “supporters of terrorism” who would like to “Islamize Israel”.