Arab-led parties back Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government after inconclusive vote

Arab-led parties in Israel's Knesset said they will back opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government, after last week's election produced no clear winner. The Joint List announced Thursday that it would recommend Eisenkot be tasked with forming the government, bringing the total number of lawmakers backing him to 67 in the 120-seat Knesset. That followed Wednesday's endorsement by Ra'am, whose eight lawmakers also backed him; the Democrats were reported to have endorsed him as well. The two Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats, giving them a potentially decisive role. Party leaders were holding discussions with President Isaac Herzog on Thursday about who should get the first chance to form a coalition. The endorsements come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked Arab-majority lists following their record turnout.

The left-leaning New York Times leads with the inconclusive result and the coalition maneuvering, centering on party leaders' consultations with Herzog over who gets the first attempt. Its excerpt does not mention the Arab parties' endorsements or the 67-seat figure. The right-leaning Newsmax leads with the endorsement itself, saying the largest Arab list backs Eisenkot and improves his chances of being picked over Netanyahu, whom it describes as having lost support. Its headline says Eisenkot is "tipped" to seek the government. Both sides agree the vote did not settle who governs and that Thursday was the key day. They differ in focus: process and presidential consultations versus Eisenkot's gains against Netanyahu. Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye, the alternative outlets, add Netanyahu's attacks on Arab lists, the record 19 seats and the 67-lawmaker tally, calling the endorsement a heavy blow to the prime minister.