Eisenkot slams Netanyahu’s ‘racist’ campaign against Palestinian Israelis

What the report says

Israeli prime ministerial hopeful Gadi Eisenkot has accused caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of promoting a racist and violent campaign against Palestinian citizens of Israel during the election period, according to Al Jazeera. Eisenkot said attempts to marginalise and smear Arab citizens amounted to an anti-state act and argued that the prime minister should represent all citizens, including those who did not support him.

The comments come after Israel’s October 27 elections left no clear majority. Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats, while Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc secured 53 in the 120-seat parliament, below the 61 needed to govern alone. Arab-led parties, which represent Palestinian citizens of Israel, won a record 19 seats. Al Jazeera reported that Netanyahu has repeatedly made unproven allegations of fraud against Arab-majority parties, claims rejected by Israel’s electoral authorities.

Eisenkot also said it would be wrong to delay efforts to assemble an emergency government and has six weeks to do so. Arab-led parties have endorsed him to replace Netanyahu, though he has ruled out forming a coalition with them. He has said the backing of the two ultra-Orthodox parties could give him a governing majority. The article also noted that Eisenkot, a former Israeli military chief, has warned against further escalation with Iran while reports suggest Netanyahu is considering renewed strikes despite U.S. and military reservations.