Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of fuelling ‘racist’ campaign against Palestinian Israelis

Israeli prime ministerial hopeful Gadi Eisenkot has accused caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fuelling a “racist and violent” campaign against Palestinian citizens of Israel during the election campaign.

In a post on X on Friday, Eisenkot criticised attempts to marginalise Arab citizens, who make up 21% of Israel's population.

“Arab citizens of Israel make up 21 percent of the total population. Since the start of the election campaign, they have faced a racist and violent campaign of delegitimisation fuelled by the outgoing prime minister and his circle for political reasons,” Eisenkot wrote.

“The prime minister of Israel is the prime minister of all citizens, including those who did not vote for him,” he said. “Arab citizens of Israel are part of the Israeli story. The attempt to marginalise them and smear them as a group is an anti-state act.”

In the October 27 elections, Eisenkot's four-party alliance secured 48 seats, while Netanyahu's right-wing and religious bloc won 53. Both fell short of the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats.

Netanyahu has repeatedly alleged electoral fraud by Arab-majority parties, claims rejected by Israel's electoral authorities. He has also criticised Arab-led parties for refusing to describe Hamas as a “terror group”, although their leaders have condemned the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

“One can disagree with the representatives of the Arab parties, and one can even feel deep revulsion toward some of them, but one cannot, should not, and I will not allow an entire sector to be slandered,” Eisenkot said.

Arab-led parties have endorsed Eisenkot, but he has ruled out forming a government with them. He has six weeks to secure a parliamentary majority and form a new government.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is reportedly considering renewed military strikes against Iran. Eisenkot has urged him to avoid further escalation unless military action is critical. Eisenkot met Netanyahu and his military secretary on Thursday to discuss the security situation but did not disclose details.