Israeli Politicsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Gadi Eisenkot Says Israel Voted for Change as Netanyahu Awaits True Results
“warned rival Netanyahu not to use Israel’s security to ‘serve his political interests’.”
“Netanyahu, al saludar a sus entusiastas seguidores en un centro de convenciones de Jerusalén después de las 03H00 locales (01H00 GMT), prometió un ‘gobierno de derecha fuerte’”
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Eisenkot says Israelis voted for change and against Netanyahu. Exit polls show a deadlock with no majority to form government.
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Deadlock and vows
Gadi Eisenkot told supporters that “The public has voted for change,” as Israel’s election ended in a deadlock with exit polls showing blocs tied and no clear majority to form a government. Benjamin Netanyahu, after waiting until after 3 a.m. local time, said “We are still waiting for the true results,” while asserting that the right-wing bloc had a “clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public.”
The Jerusalem Post reported that Channel 12 exit polls showed Eisenkot’s bloc trailing Netanyahu’s bloc 49-52, while Channels 11 and 13 projected the opposition bloc tying Netanyahu’s bloc at 51 seats each. The Times of Israel said Eisenkot urged Netanyahu to “accept the people’s vote of no confidence” and leave political life, adding that “with turnout this high, holding another election would be a mistake.”
Security and Arab parties
Eisenkot warned Netanyahu not to use Israel’s security for political purposes, saying “Netanyahu, do not dare use Israel’s security for your political needs,” while describing Netanyahu as a caretaker prime minister “without a mandate or public trust.” Netanyahu argued that it was “unthinkable” to endanger Israel and form a government that relies upon “anti-Zionist Arab parties,” and he said “That’s what has to be done,” as he pushed for a right-wing, nationalist, strong government.
Al Jazeera reported that Channel 12 quoted Mansour Abbas saying, “We will turn the seats we won into a new reality in Israel,” while Al Jazeera also said Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz called left-wing celebrations premature and said “it is clear that Likud is the largest party.” The Times of Israel said Eisenkot insisted that Israelis voted for change and against Netanyahu’s continued rule, while it also described the coalition arithmetic as requiring parties to violate campaign promises not to partner with Arab-led parties.
What comes next
President Herzog’s role became central as Channel 12 quoted initial results allowing him to task Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, while the Israeli Broadcasting Authority said initial results confirmed Netanyahu as the biggest loser. The Times of Israel said the election results still required weeks of negotiation because neither bloc had a 61-seat majority, and it described “double envelope” votes from IDF soldiers, diplomats and others not voting at their assigned polling station as still to be counted.
Al Jazeera reported that the central elections committee rejected Likud and its allies’ request to extend the voting period, and it said turnout neared 78% with Channel 12 putting turnout at 77.7%, the highest since 1999. Al Jazeera also quoted Ahmed al-Tayyib, head of the Arab Movement for Change, saying the movement’s primary goal is to topple Netanyahu’s government and prevent the Israeli prime minister from leading a transitional government, while it accused Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of sending two thousand settlers from the right to election committees.