Top Arab Leader Offers Support to Opposition Bloc, Urges Gadi Eisenkot to "Be Brave" in Ousting Netanyahu

Ahmad Tibi, the head of the Joint List’s parliamentary faction, has stated his readiness to support the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot in forming a minority government, a move aimed at unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking to CNN from Tayibe, Israel, Tibi expressed, “If they want us to help, we will be there in order to help.” He further emphasized the importance of supporting the opposition's candidate, stating, “We want to support the candidate of the opposition. It is important. It should be done.”

Tibi clarified that his coalition, the Joint List, is not seeking to join an Eisenkot-led government or any ministerial positions. Their sole demands are for the incoming government to commit to combating crime affecting the Arab community and to halt the demolition of Bedouin homes, practices that have escalated under Netanyahu's administration.

The Joint List, along with another Arab-majority party, Raam, is projected to secure a record 19 seats in Israel's 120-seat parliament, following a significant turnout of nearly 80 percent from Palestinian citizens of Israel in the recent elections. Although major opposition parties have previously ruled out forming a government with Arab parties, their external political support could provide Eisenkot with the necessary tacit backing to establish a minority government.

Tibi indicated that such a formation would require Eisenkot and his potential coalition to demonstrate courage, urging them to “be brave” in the face of anticipated condemnation from Netanyahu regarding any alliance with Israel's Arab parties. Tibi revealed that he has received numerous calls and messages since the initial exit polls, including from a