Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of fuelling campaign against Arab Israelis
Gadi Eisenkot accused Benjamin Netanyahu of fuelling a racist campaign against Arab citizens of Israel during the election.
Eisenkot is trying to form a new government after President Isaac Herzog gave him the task.
Arab citizens make up about 21 percent of Israel’s population, and Netanyahu has criticised Arab-led parties over their stance on Hamas and alleged election fraud; electoral authorities rejected his fraud claims.
The two Arab-led parties won 19 seats in the 120-seat parliament, making their support important in the effort to form a government.
Eisenkot said it was acceptable to disagree with the parties but not to smear an entire community.
No bloc has the 61 seats needed for a majority on its own, and the parties that endorsed Eisenkot hold 67 seats together.
Eisenkot must now try to assemble a government, though the sources differ on the exact time he has to do so.
Gadi Eisenkot accused caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fuelling a racist campaign against Arab citizens of Israel.
Eisenkot said attempts to marginalise and vilify the community collectively were unacceptable.
The accusation followed Netanyahu’s criticism of Arab-party lawmakers, including claims linking them to Hamas.
Raam and the Joint List won a combined 19 seats in the October election, giving them potential influence in government formation.
Eisenkot is seeking to form a government after President Isaac Herzog gave him the mandate.
- Who
- Gadi Eisenkot accused caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Eisenkot said Netanyahu was fuelling a racist campaign against Arab citizens of Israel.
- When
- Friday, November 13, 2026.
- Where
- Israel. Eisenkot made his remarks on X.
- Why
- Eisenkot said the campaign was fuelled for political purposes and aimed to delegitimise Arab citizens and their lawmakers.
Gadi Eisenkot
Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies
Treatment of Arab citizens
Gadi Eisenkot
Eisenkot said it was unacceptable to marginalise and vilify the Arab community collectively.
Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies
Netanyahu and his allies criticised Arab-party leaders over their positions on Hamas and Israel’s status as a Jewish state.
Arab-party lawmakers
Gadi Eisenkot
Eisenkot defended Arab citizens and said the community was part of Israel’s story.
Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies
Netanyahu alleged electoral fraud by Arab-majority parties and claimed they sought to establish an Islamic or nationalist Palestinian state.
Israel held elections in which Arab-led parties won a combined 19 seats.
The new Knesset was inaugurated, according to the Times of Israel.
Eisenkot met Netanyahu and his military secretary for a security briefing, according to Al Jazeera.
Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of fuelling a racist campaign against Arab citizens of Israel.
- Arab citizens’ share of population
- More than 20%; Al Jazeera and Times of Israel report 21%
- Arab-led parties
- Raam and the Joint List
- Seats won by Raam and the Joint List
- 19 of 120
- Eisenkot’s party alliance
- 48 seats, according to Al Jazeera
- Netanyahu’s bloc
- 53 seats, according to Al Jazeera
- Government-forming mandate
- President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a government on Sunday
4 sources
Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of ‘racist’ campaign against Israel’s Arab minority
Gadi Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu's 'racist' campaign against Israeli arabs
Eisenkot slams Netanyahu's 'racist' campaign against Palestinian Israelis
Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of fueling ‘violent and racist’ campaign against Arabs
What people are saying
Arab citizens of Israel are an integral part of the Israeli story
The prime minister of Israel is the prime minister of all citizens, including those who did not vote for him
The attempt to sling mud at them as a group is a non-statesmanlike act that makes a mockery of the Declaration of Independence and of the values we take pride in as a Jewish democratic state