While 84.5 percent of the votes have been counted in the parliamentary elections held yesterday in Israel, the opposition bloc led by former Chief of General Staff Gadi Eisenkot and the ruling bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot reach the 61 deputies required to form a government in the 120-seat Parliament.
According to the current table, the ruling bloc continues the election race with 54 seats and the opposition bloc with 49 seats. Accordingly, the ruling Likud Party received 27 seats, while Eisenkot's Yashar Party ranks second with 22 seats.
It is seen that the parties representing Palestinian Israeli citizens gained a total of 17 seats. It is expected that the Joint List will have 11 seats and the Raam Party led by Mansur Abbas will have 6 seats.
On the opposition wing, former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid's "Together Party" has 12 seats, Avigdor Liberman's Israel Our Home Party has 7 seats, and the Democrats Party led by Yair Golan has 8 seats.
It is predicted that the Shas Party, representing the Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredis) in the ruling bloc, will win 7 seats, United Torah Judaism will win 7 seats, Netanyahu's far-right allies Itamar Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power Party will win 7 seats, and Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism Party will win 6 seats.
The Israeli press points out that the number of seats elected by the parties may change after the vote count, but that neither the Netanyahu bloc nor the opposition led by Eisenkot will be able to form a coalition if the Arabs gain so many seats.
Call from Golan for partnership with Arab parties
Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats Party in Israel, stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost the majority and called on the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot to form a joint government with Arab parties representing Palestinians who are Israeli citizens.
Addressing the parties in the opposition bloc led by Yashar Party leader Eisenkot, Golan called for them to come together with Arab parties representing Palestinian Israeli citizens and form a coalition government, and noted that they would gain the majority in the Parliament.
Golan said, "Netanyahu lost. I know how to count to 120, 65 is greater than 55." he said.
Emphasizing that the current situation cannot be ignored, Golan said, "The facts should teach us a very clear lesson. If we do not stop being afraid, we have no future here. We must also end racism. We can no longer accept Netanyahu's racist discrimination between Jewish votes and Arab votes." made his assessment.
Finally, Golan argued that Israel has an opportunity to form a government of change in partnership with its Arab citizens.
Eisenkot wants "stable Zionist government"
Yashar Party leader Eisenkot said in his speech to his supporters in Tel Aviv that he wanted to establish a "stable Zionist government".
Eisenkot said, "I and the Yashar team aim to represent all Israelis. Together with my partners on the path to a government of change, I will work to implement the people's decision and will." he said.
Stating that he aims to establish a "stable Zionist government" that will serve all Israeli citizens, Eisenkot stated that it is necessary to act quickly and unite the ranks of the society.
Stating that the government to be formed will adhere to the principles it announced during the election campaign, Eisenkot listed these as "recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, working to enact a comprehensive national service law, and commitment to the elimination of Hamas."
These goals conflict with the demands of Arab MPs who are not part of Zionist parties. Eisenkot did not clarify how he would form such a government in the current situation, where it is difficult to attract Netanyahu's partners to his side.
Similar message from Bennett
In his speech to his supporters, Together Party leader and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, "We will do our best to establish a Zionist government consisting of those who fulfill their obligation to serve by overcoming any personal ego." he said.
Bennett said that the possible government will govern the country responsibly and serve all Israeli people. However, Bennett did not mention which parties this government would be formed with.
3 options are being evaluated in Yashar Party
According to the news of the "Maariv" newspaper, Yashar Party officials are evaluating 3 options to form a government.
These are listed as establishing a narrow-based government with external support from Arab parties, entering into a coalition with an Ultra-Orthodox party or some elements of Religious Zionism, and forming a broad-based government with Likud without Netanyahu.
The newspaper also reported that there is concern in the Yashar Party that Netanyahu may complicate the talks to form a government by launching a military move during the interim government period.
Conditional support offer from Arab parties
Arab parties had previously announced that they were ready to support the government formed by the Jewish opposition from within the Parliament in order to prevent Netanyahu from forming a new government or remaining at the head of the transitional government.
According to the proposal, Arab parties will ensure the survival of a narrow-based government without directly participating in the government. In return, it is demanded to stop housing demolitions, discrimination and provocation against Arab citizens, to fight crime and to create a political solution perspective with the Palestinians.
Eisenkot has not yet responded to this proposal, which could pave the way for him to become prime minister.
Official results are expected to become clear by November 4, after the review and objection processes are completed.
