The Arab-led Joint List has said it will back Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government, dealing a heavy blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to remain in power.
The Joint List announced on Thursday that it would "recommend that Gadi Eisenkot be tasked with forming the government", bringing the total number of lawmakers backing him to 67 in the 120-seat Knesset. The decision follows Wednesday's endorsement by Ra'am, another Arab-led party, whose eight lawmakers also backed Eisenkot.
via AFPThe two parties together secured a record 19 seats in last week's general election, giving them a potentially decisive role in determining who forms Israel's next government.
Netanyahu's right-wing bloc won 53 seats in the 27 October election, while the opposition alliance led by Eisenkot secured 48. A majority in parliament requires 61 seats.
The results left both camps short of the numbers needed to govern independently, making the support of Arab-led parties and smaller political factions crucial to the coalition negotiations.
The Joint List said its unanimous decision reflected public demands to prevent Netanyahu and his government from returning to power. It also said the endorsement was intended to widen the gap between Eisenkot and Netanyahu and strengthen the chances of replacing the incumbent government.
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