Joint Arab List Endorses Eisenkot for Israeli Government Formation as Netanyahu Return Is Contested
What happened
On November 5, 2026, the Joint Arab List joined the United Arab List in formally recommending Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel’s next government, lifting his endorsement tally to 67 seats.
The Context
* A divided parliament: The October 27–28 elections left the 120-seat Knesset without a decisive majority, leaving the incumbent bloc with 53 seats, the opposition with 48, and Arab-majority parties holding 19. * The strategic endorsement: The Joint Arab List and Ra'am unified their recommendations behind Eisenkot during consultations with President Isaac Herzog, widening the recommendation gap to 67 versus 46. * External backing over direct entry: The recommending Arab factions signaled outside parliamentary support to avert a unity administration with the previous leadership rather than negotiating direct coalition seats.
The Number
— the count of Knesset recommendations Eisenkot secured, passing the 61-seat threshold required for President Herzog to issue the first official mandate to construct a governing coalition.
Takeaway
Watch for President Herzog’s official mandate designation this week, which will trigger formal coalition negotiations and set the baseline policy direction for cross-border cooperation across the region.
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القائمة العربية المشتركة تعلن دعم غادي آزينكوت لتشكيل الحكومة الإسرائيلية المقبلة القائمة العربية المشتركة تعلن دعم غادي آزينكوت لتشكيل الحكومة الإسرائيلية المقبلة
The Joint Arab List, which won 11 seats in the Israeli elections, announced its support for opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot in forming the next Israeli government, according to a report by Emarat Al Youm.