Hundreds of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday, advocating for the opposition to form a coalition with Arab political parties in an effort to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government has faced criticism for its rhetoric targeting the Arab minority.
The protests emerged following recent elections where Arab-majority parties saw significant gains, partly driven by public discontent with the current administration's discourse. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has yet to commit to seeking a coalition that includes these parties. Demonstrators in Tel Aviv emphasized the right to political participation for the Arab community, which constitutes approximately 20 percent of Israel's population. Ayelet Raz, a 60-year-old psychologist, stated, "It's the last chance for real change," and cautioned that Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, is a "great manipulator." She added, "We need to give peace a chance. Otherwise we'll have this bloodshed forever."
The election results proved inconclusive, with neither the pro- nor anti-Netanyahu blocs securing a majority in the 120-seat parliament. Parties opposed to Netanyahu won 48 seats, while two Arab-majority parties, Raam and the Joint List, collectively secured 19 seats. A potential alliance between these factions could grant the anti-Netanyahu bloc a majority of 67 seats, though this prospect is met with reservations from some within the opposition. Placards at the rallies read slogans such as "Arabs and Jews will only win together" and "There is a majority for change."
Arab parties have historically had limited formal participation in Israeli governments, with the exception of Raam leader Mansour Abbas, who joined a short-lived coalition from 2021 to 2022 and has expressed openness to participating again. Yousef Jabareen of the Joint List indicated a willingness to support Eisenkot's government from outside, citing concerns including the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, Eisenkot, a former military chief, has stated he would only form a "Zionist government" committed to Israel's identity as a Jewish, democratic, and liberal state, and recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization—conditions previously rejected by Arab leaders. While not explicitly ruling out external support, he has expressed a preference against a government dependent on Arab lists.
Divisions persist within the opposition regarding cooperation with Arab parties. Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Democrats, has supported such alliances, calling exclusion racist and meeting with Mansour Abbas. Conversely, Avigdor Liberman, head of the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party, has declared he will not join a coalition reliant on Arab parties, even for external backing, stating on Facebook, "Whoever wants to rely on supporters of terrorism, let them. Yisrael Beiteinu will not be there."
Counter-protests were also held, with Netanyahu supporters chanting slogans such as "It's the Right, or Palestine" and accusing Arab parties of supporting Hamas and seeking to transform Israel into an Arab country. Rebecca Schindler, 60, asserted, "The two Arab parties are for Hamas." Nava Rehavia, 70, urged opposition leaders to join a Netanyahu-led coalition, claiming Arab parties "stole the election." Netanyahu himself raised allegations of electoral fraud and improper support from Qatar during the election, though police reported isolated incidents. He later posted on social media that collaboration with Arab parties would be "a disaster for Israel." President Isaac Herzog is expected to assign a party leader the mandate to form a government within 28 days, with a potential extension, as negotiations intensify against a backdrop of potential regional escalations.
