Netanyahu warns Arab-backed government would destroy Israel before Herzog's mandate decision

Netanyahu's warning

Benjamin Netanyahu warned in a video-recorded address on Saturday, 7 November, that a government depending on Arab parties would destroy the State of Israel from within. He said such a coalition would bring the country down and compared the danger to unrest in European countries, only worse. He accused the Arab parties of supporting terrorism and of seeking to Islamize Israel. His remarks echo a rhetoric that Western politicians and far-right commentators regularly use, claiming without basis that parts of Europe live under Islamic law.

Netanyahu also argued that a government relying on Islamist votes would not fight Hamas or defend IDF soldiers operating in Gaza and Lebanon. He tied the domestic dispute to Iran, saying radical Islam threatens Israel from outside and inside. He raised the prospect of civil war, warning that serious riots in Europe, which he blamed on Islamists, would be repeated in Israel if such a government were formed.

Mandate race

After the 27 October election, President Isaac Herzog is expected to announce on Sunday, 8 November, whom he will task with forming the next government. He held consultations with all parties on Thursday, 5 November. Reports say he is working behind the scenes toward a national unity government. Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party and is a former head of the armed forces, is seen as the frontrunner. In the consultations, 67 MPs recommended him, against 46 who recommended Netanyahu.

The recommendation count is the clearest sign of momentum for the opposition. Eisenkot has not ruled out working with Arab parties, nor with ultra-Orthodox parties, and he has been backed by the Arab parties for the mandate.

Gadi Eisenkot67

Benjamin Netanyahu46

Gadi Eisenkot

67 MPs

Benjamin Netanyahu

46 MPs

Data from the article text

Seat arithmetic

Netanyahu's coalition holds 53 seats, the Jewish opposition parties 48 and the Arab parties 19. The Joint List and Ra'am make up the Arab bloc. Eisenkot has ruled out including them in a coalition government, which makes a governing majority hard to assemble. Neither side secured a majority in the 27 October election, in a country polarized by Netanyahu's far-right government and three years of war.

Netanyahu coalition53

Jewish opposition parties48

Arab parties19

Netanyahu coalition

53 seats

Jewish opposition parties

48 seats

Arab parties

19 seats

Data from the article text

Netanyahu's unity proposal

Netanyahu called for a national unity government that would include all national-camp parties, all Zionist parties that want to protect the state, Likud, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit and the ultra-Orthodox parties. He did not say who should lead it. He also reiterated his proposal for a broad government under Likud and his own leadership. His call excludes the Arab parties that back Eisenkot.

What comes next

Herzog's decision on Sunday, 8 November, opens the next round of talks, and a prolonged deadlock has not been ruled out. Netanyahu's unity call and Eisenkot's refusal to bring the Arab parties into government leave the seat arithmetic unresolved. Herzog's announcement will determine which leader gets the first chance to form a government.