Netanyahu’s main rival opens door to coalition with Arab parties

Key Points:

• Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and main rival to Benjamin Netanyahu, has outlined conditions for potential coalition partners, aiming to include Arab parties whose 19 seats could help him form a government.
• Eisenkot's conditions include recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, condemning Hamas as a terror group to be destroyed, accepting Israel's governance over Gaza, and agreeing on mandatory military service.
• Despite these principles, obstacles remain, including Avigdor Lieberman's refusal to join a government supported by Arab parties, which could leave Eisenkot one seat short of a majority.
• The Arab Joint List leader, Yousef Jabareen, declined to label Hamas a terror organization, conflicting with Eisenkot's core requirements and complicating coalition talks.
• President Isaac Herzog is set to consult party leaders and decide who will receive the mandate to form a government, with a 28-day window and possible extensions, following the recent election results.