Israeli opposition supporters call for alliance with Arab parties

[Financial News] With no party securing a majority of seats in Israel’s general election, leaving the political situation uncertain, opposition supporters took to the streets in large-scale demonstrations, urging an alliance with Arab parties to oust long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hundreds of protesters gathered on the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, appealing for a cross-party front against Netanyahu. They said that joining forces with the Arab parties, which hold 19 seats and the balance of power, was the only and final chance for genuine regime change and an end to the bloodshed.
But the opposition leadership itself is deeply divided over cooperation with Arab parties.
Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff and a leading opposition figure, upheld the principle of a “Zionist government” and opposed relying on Arab parties, while the right-wing opposition characterized the Arab community as “supporters of terrorism” and warned it would not join a coalition.
Meanwhile, deep divisions in public opinion are on display around the protest sites, where supporters of Prime Minister Netanyahu are holding counter-rallies, claiming Arab forces stole the election and urging opposition leaders to join the current government.
With Israel’s president expected to soon entrust a leading party’s leader with the task of forming a government, a fierce political battle is set to intensify over the contentious issue of an “alliance with Arab parties.”
[email protected] Hong Chae-wan Reporter