The Joint List announced Thursday that it will recommend Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government, a decision that brings the former IDF chief of staff to 67 Knesset endorsements against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 46. With seven MKs declining to recommend either candidate, the arithmetic leaves Eisenkot positioned to receive the first mandate from President Yitzchak Herzog.
The faction, which represents primarily Arab voters, said the decision was reached unanimously after consultations among its component parties. "This was not a simple decision," the Joint List said in a statement. "Despite our determination to bring down Netanyahu, the opposition camp led by Eisenkot has not yet demonstrated the necessary willingness to confront Netanyahu's path, nor to fight the incitement against Arab citizens and the undermining of the legitimacy of their political choices."
The statement continued: "Even though Eisenkot is receiving more recommendations than Netanyahu, we see importance in widening the gap between them. This step strengthens the chances of replacing the government and reduces the possibility of various attempts to establish a national unity government that would keep Netanyahu in power, an option Netanyahu is pursuing with the support of influential Israeli, regional and international actors."
