Key facts
- Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot stated he would prefer to form a "Zionist majority" government, excluding Palestinian Arab parties.
- This stance reflects a broader trend among anti-Netanyahu politicians who are increasingly ruling out reliance on Palestinian parties.
- The shift is attributed to a change in Israeli public opinion after the October 7th attacks, making such alliances electorally costly.
- Polls indicate a close race between Eisenkot's bloc and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc, with neither likely to secure a majority without Palestinian Arab party support.
- Ra'am, a Palestinian party, is reportedly seeking to broaden its appeal by including a Jewish former lawmaker on its electoral list.
Israeli opposition leaders are increasingly signaling that they will not form a government that includes Palestinian Arab parties, a significant shift from previous political dynamics. Gadi Eisenkot, a former general and leader of the Yashar party, recently stated his preference for a "Zionist majority" government, a phrase widely understood to exclude Palestinian parties. This stance reflects a broader trend across the anti-Netanyahu camp, including figures like Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, who previously partnered with Palestinian parties.
The change is largely attributed to a shift in Israeli public opinion following the October 7th attacks. Political analyst Ehab Jabareen noted that any partnership with a Palestinian Arab party is now electorally framed as a concession on security and identity, with even centrist parties fearing association with those perceived as rejecting the Jewish character of the state. Public opinion polls indicate a hardening stance, with a significant majority of Jewish Israelis opposing the inclusion of Arab parties in the next government.
Palestinian parties represent the approximately two million Palestinian citizens of Israel. Historically, cooperation with governing coalitions was considered politically toxic. However, this taboo was broken in 2021 when the United Arab List (Ra'am), led by Mansour Abbas, provided crucial support for the Bennett-Lapid coalition, ending Benjamin Netanyahu's long tenure. Since the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks, this taboo has largely returned.
Despite the public sentiment, some parties may still seek the support of Palestinian Arab parties if parliamentary arithmetic necessitates it, though few are willing to openly admit this possibility during the campaign. Mansour Abbas, leader of Ra'am, is employing a strategy to appeal to Palestinian voters, the anti-Netanyahu camp, and the Israeli establishment simultaneously. Reports suggest Ra'am is considering including a Jewish former lawmaker on its list to potentially increase its projected representation.
Knesset member Aida Touma-Sliman of the Palestinian-led Hadash party views the refusal of Jewish parties to work with Palestinian parties as a reflection of a lack of courage to present genuine alternatives, suggesting some opposition leaders also hold "Zionist and discriminatory positions." She emphasized that the primary goal of Palestinian parties in the Knesset is to represent their community and defend their rights, rather than solely joining governments.