Gadi Eisenkot Seeks Support from Netanyahu's Allies to Form Government in Israel

Tel Aviv: Opposition alliance leader and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has sought the support of allies of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government in Israel. The move comes after Netanyahu and others resorted to communal rhetoric over the prospect of seeking support from Arab parties. Eisenkot has also appealed to Netanyahu's Likud Party to support his bid for prime minister. He said he would form a national government for Israel.

Following the general election, in which no party secured a majority, the entire anti-Netanyahu camp, including left-wing and Arab progressive parties, had backed Eisenkot. However, Eisenkot, who belongs to the far-right, has been attempting to keep Arab parties out of the government as far as possible. Reports also suggest that he has called for Jewish parties to unite.

Netanyahu had claimed that a government formed with the support of Arab parties would destroy the country. Senior Joint List leader Ahmad Tibi, representing the Arab-left alliance, strongly hit back at the remarks. Tibi said Netanyahu, who labels them terrorists, was the biggest terrorist in Israel, and the West Asia.

A majority in the 120-member Knesset, Israel's parliament, requires 61 seats. Eisenkot's Yashar Party alliance secured 48 seats, while Netanyahu's Likud-led alliance won 53. Arab parties hold 19 seats.

Eisenkot has six weeks to form a government.