Jerusalem, Oct 29:
Yair Golan, leader of Israelâs Democrats party, has urged opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government in partnership with Arab-led parties to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the election.
Golan argued that cooperation with Arab parties was necessary to assemble a parliamentary majority and bring about a change in government. He also criticised what he described as racism and political resistance to cooperation with Arab citizens.
However, the proposal has encountered opposition from several parties within Israelâs opposition bloc, with some leaders ruling out a coalition that includes Arab-led parties or one dependent on their support from outside.
Partial election results reported on Wednesday showed Netanyahuâs bloc with 54 seats, Eisenkotâs bloc with 47 and Arab-led parties with 19, with 76.8% of ballot boxes counted at the time. A majority of 61 seats is required in the 120-member Knesset.
The figures indicate that cooperation between Eisenkotâs bloc and Arab-led parties could potentially provide a parliamentary majority, but political disagreements remain a major obstacle.
The outcome will depend on the final results and whether the opposition parties can agree on a common arrangement to form a government.