Arab grouping backs Netanyahu challenger for next Israeli government - Semafor

Israel’s largest Arab party grouping declared its support Thursday for Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government, potentially clearing the path for a coalition that excludes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The announcement came after Netanyahu — who campaigned partly on his unique relationship with US President Donald Trump — lost his majority in October elections, and as Israel’s estrangement from Washington deepens.

Trump this week said he plans to end US aid to Israel after this year, and his vice president blamed Republicans’ midterm demolition in part on not changing “our relationship to Israel.”

The US midterms, which saw several victories for candidates more critical toward Israel, have underscored the “collapse of pro-Israel politics” in America, a prominent political commentator argued.