Ra’am’s reported willingness to back a government led by Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot without a signed coalition agreement could add an eight-seat source of support as Israel’s opposition weighs its path to a majority.
Anadolu Agency relayed a Haaretz report that Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas, planned to support Eisenkot’s effort even if negotiations did not produce a formal pact. Haaretz said the position was intended to avoid the risks of depending on United Torah Judaism, an ultra-Orthodox party.
A majority in the 120-seat Knesset requires 61 seats. The Knesset’s final official results gave Ra’am eight seats and the Joint List 11; Anadolu reported that opposition parties outside the Arab lists held 48 seats. Ra’am’s backing would bring those 48 to 56, five short of a majority. The report adds another variable to the Arab parties’ potential role in an opposition majority.
Haaretz also reported that the Joint List would not cast a supporting vote for an Eisenkot government without an agreement, but would not try to bring it down. Anadolu reported that most opposition leaders opposed a government dependent on Arab-party support.
Herzog’s office scheduled the tasking ceremony for 10 a.m. ET (5 p.m. Israel time) Sunday. Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of up to 14 days under the mandate rules.
