Arab parties' backing gives Eisenkot edge over Netanyahu for PM: What to know
With 67 Knesset members backing his candidacy, Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot could win the mandate to form the next government.
Israel's Arab political parties the Joint List and Raam announced Thursday they will back Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government, strengthening his bid for the prime minister's office.
Their move came despite some Jewish opposition parties saying they will not serve in a government with Arab parties due to sharp differences over Palestinian statehood, Hamas and the Gaza war.
The Central Elections Committee finished the official vote count Wednesday and presented the results to President Isaac Herzog, who began meeting party representatives to hear their recommendations for who should form the next government. Under Israeli law, he must choose the candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a stable majority, not necessarily the leader of the largest party.
Herzog is expected to conclude consultations with representatives of the various parties on Thursday evening. Yashar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud will be the last two parties to visit the president's residence, having won 21 and 27 Knesset seats, respectively.
