Arab-led lists say they will back Eisenkot as Herzog consults Israeli parties

The Joint List said on Thursday that it would recommend opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government. Ra'am, the other Arab-led list, also backed him. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not confirm that the Joint List formally delivered its recommendation.

President Isaac Herzog's office said United Torah Judaism had told him "that it has decided not to recommend any member of Knesset to form a government", France 24 reported.

Herzog began consultations on Wednesday and continued them on Thursday. The 27 October election left neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Eisenkot with a clear path to a majority. In the 120-member Knesset, Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats, including United Torah Judaism's seven. Eisenkot's bloc holds 48. Arab-led lists won a record 19: the Joint List has 11 and Ra'am eight.

Herzog's nominee will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. If no candidate succeeds, another election would be held. The Central Elections Committee said on Wednesday that it had certified the results after finding no evidence of fraud, according to Al Jazeera.

According to The Hindu, Herzog has until 11 November to decide. France 24 reported that the mandate traditionally goes to the person recommended by more parties, which would be Eisenkot. Al Jazeera reported that he is expected to have 67 lawmakers' backing, above the 61-seat threshold, once the Joint List formally submits its recommendation. The reports do not describe any agreement with the Arab-led lists on joining or supporting a government.

Legislation exempting ultra-Orthodox religious students from military service has not passed under Netanyahu's coalition. Eisenkot has insisted on ending such exemptions, according to France 24.

What is disputed

Accounts differ on who withheld the recommendation. France 24 and The Hindu describe a decision by United Torah Judaism. Al Jazeera reported that Degel HaTorah, which holds four of the party's seven seats, would recommend neither candidate.

Accounts of Eisenkot's stance also differ. The Hindu reported that he has so far ruled out governing with the Arab-led parties. France 24 said it was unclear whether his opposition would work with them.

What each side says

• Netanyahu: In a video, he alleged "serious suspicions" that foreign powers put money into the election and questioned Arab citizens' loyalty, France 24 reported. Al Jazeera said he has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Arab parties committed fraud. He denies critics' accusations that he is trying to undermine the results, according to The Hindu.
• Ra'am: It denies involvement in alleged voter bribery, according to Al Jazeera, which reported the arrests of three activists suspected of links to the party.
• Herzog: He backed investigating suspected interference. Al Jazeera quoted him as saying: "I condemn the coarseness and racist expressions that we have heard recently".

Analysis

Recommendations and a governing majority are separate tests. If Herzog follows the tradition described by France 24, Eisenkot could receive the first mandate, but endorsements alone would not give him a coalition. Relying on Arab-led seats could cost him support from some in the opposition, notably Avigdor Liberman, according to France 24. United Torah Judaism's decision could prove a bargaining signal rather than a lasting break, as observers cited by France 24 suggest. Disputes over the vote's legitimacy may also affect public trust, whichever side governs. If negotiations fail, another election would follow, an outcome Herzog has urged parties to avert.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.