Video: Protesters swarm outside Netanyahu's home, demand joint Jewish-Arab govt
Protesters took to the streets of Israel on Thursday, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation and urging opposition leaders to form a joint Jewish-Arab government following an inconclusive election that left both political blocs short of a parliamentary majority.
Demonstrators marched through the city, blocking roads and confronting police officers who moved in to disperse them.
Some protesters sat on the road and chanted slogans, while others trampled on a campaign poster of Netanyahu.
The demonstrations were also held outside Netanyahu’s residence, where protesters demanded an end to the Gaza war.
The protests reflected growing public pressure on the prime minister following the election, as political parties struggled to find the numbers needed to form the next government.Other demonstrators called for greater political cooperation between Jewish and Arab parties, arguing that a partnership was necessary to bring about political change and prevent Netanyahu from returning to power.
Some protesters shouted, "Ben Gvir lost!", referring to far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir. Others carried placards supporting Jewish-Arab unity, including one that read, "Arabs and Jews – Only together will we win".
The protests also saw demonstrators carry a banner accusing Israel of being an apartheid state rather than a democracy, reflecting their criticism of the country's political system.
A separate demonstration was held outside the residence of Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot in Herzliya on Thursday.
Protesters urged the opposition leader to join hands with Arab parties and form a government that could prevent Netanyahu from securing another term.
Chanting "There is no change without partnership", demonstrators called on Eisenkot to consider cooperation with Arab political groups. Protesters gather outside Gadi Eisenkot's residence. (Credits: Reuters) Among those present was Amir Badran, deputy mayor of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, who supported the idea of a political partnership between the opposition and Arab parties.
The completed vote count left Netanyahu's bloc with 53 seats, against 48 held by the four main opposition parties. Neither side secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.
Eisenkot's Yashar emerged as the largest opposition party with 21 seats, behind Netanyahu's Likud, which secured 27.ARAB PARTIES COULD HOLD KEY TO GOVERNMENT FORMATION
The election results have placed Israel's Arab parties at the centre of possible coalition negotiations.
The Joint List secured 11 seats, while Mansour Abbas's Ra'am won eight, taking their combined strength to 19 seats.
Opposition parties seeking to prevent Netanyahu from forming another government may need support from at least some of these Arab representatives. Such cooperation could take the form of a formal coalition or external parliamentary support for a minority government.
Ra'am, which previously participated in the Bennett-Lapid coalition, is considered a possible partner in such an arrangement.
However, the opposition's efforts face a significant obstacle. Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman, whose party won seven seats, has ruled out joining or supporting a government that depends on Arab party backing, according to his remarks to Channel 12.
Liberman has also reportedly cut contact with Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, further complicating attempts to build an alternative coalition.
With neither bloc commanding a majority, President Isaac Herzog is pushing political leaders to avoid another election. However, the opposition's ability to secure Arab party support while retaining the backing of other parties remains uncertain.
The 19 seats held by the Arab parties could prove decisive in the negotiations, but Liberman's position has narrowed the opposition's options. Netanyahu's bloc remains ahead in the seat count as both camps seek partners to form the next government.- Ends
