Senior Arab MK says Joint List ready to back anti-Netanyahu government from outside

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Joint List offers outside support for anti-Netanyahu government

   Ahmad Tibi, a senior lawmaker for the Arab Joint List, announced the party is ready to support an alternative government from outside the coalition to replace Benjamin Netanyahu. While the Joint List refuses to formally join the government, Tibi seeks commitments to address Arab society's needs in exchange for this support. Together, opposition and Arab-led parties hold 67 seats, though political differences remain. Gadi Eisenkot is currently courting ultra-Orthodox parties and has been identified as a potential leader for an opposition-led government backed by Arab parties.

   Why it matters

   Arab-led parties won a record share of seats in the 2026 elections, positioning them as kingmakers in a deadlocked parliament. This shift allows them to influence whether Netanyahu retains power or is replaced by an opposition bloc. The current political deadlock centers on whether Jewish and Arab parties can find common ground to form a viable majority.

   What is confirmed

   • Ahmad Tibi stated the Joint List will not join the government but is prepared to back an anti-Netanyahu government from the outside.
   • Opposition and Arab-led parties collectively hold 67 seats.
   • Gadi Eisenkot is attempting to recruit ultra-Orthodox parties for a coalition.
   • The Joint List is seeking commitments to address the needs of Arab society in exchange for its support.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A majority of opposition voters back a government led by Eisenkot and the Arab party Ra'am.
   • Yair Golan believes Netanyahu lacks the public trust to renew the war with Iran.
   • Donald Trump discussed Iran with Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent conversation.

   What to watch next

   • Whether Gadi Eisenkot secures the support of ultra-Orthodox parties.
   • Formal commitments from opposition leaders regarding the needs of Arab society.
   • Decisions by the Joint List on which specific anti-Netanyahu bloc to support.
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. The Economist — Israel’s Jewish and Arab opposition parties should work together
   2. The Jerusalem Post — Majority of opposition voters back Eisenkot-led government with Arab party Ra'am - poll
   3. The Jerusalem Post — Arab Joint List chairman says party will not join government
   4. The Times of Israel — Tibi says Joint List ready to back anti-Netanyahu government from the outside
   5. Ynetnews — Eisenkot courts ultra-Orthodox parties as Likud hunts for opposition defectors
   6. Israel National News — Tibi to Eisenkot: We won't join government
   7. Aurora Israel — News from Israel and the Jewish world in Spanish
   8. The Telegraph — Israel’s Arabs are now kingmakers and they’re ready to oust Netanyahu
   9. Haaretz — Israel Election 2026 • Democrats chairman Yair Golan: Netanyahu lacks public trust to renew Iran war
   10. The New York Times — Where Do Israel’s Arab Parties Stand?
   11. Yahoo — Netanyahu’s main rival opens door to coalition with Arab parties
   12. The Times of Israel — Golan speaks with Joint List party chiefs amid efforts to form government
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