Thousands Demand Coalition with Arab Parties to Oust Netanyahu in Tel Aviv
A significant rally in Tel Aviv sees thousands urging the opposition to ally with Arab parties against Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Protesters believe this is a crucial moment for political change in Israel.
Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, while the opposition led by Eisenkot gained 48.
Arab parties made notable electoral gains, winning 19 seats in the recent elections.
On October 31, 2026, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv, calling for the Israeli opposition to collaborate with Arab parties to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The demonstrators expressed their belief that this might be their last opportunity for significant political change, labeling Netanyahu as a "great manipulator" of the electoral process.
The rally came in the wake of a deadlock following the recent elections, where Netanyahu's coalition secured 53 seats in the Knesset, while the main opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot garnered 48. Despite Eisenkot's previous reluctance to partner with Arab parties, the current political landscape may necessitate such an alliance to form a viable government.
Nour Odeh, an Al Jazeera correspondent, reported from Ramallah that the public sentiment is strong for change, urging leaders like Eisenkot to heed the call for a coalition. Meanwhile, counter-protesters supporting Netanyahu voiced their opposition, insisting that Israel should not align with what they termed as "terrorists."
The recent elections also saw a remarkable performance by Arab parties, which collectively won 19 seats, reflecting a 64 percent increase in votes compared to the previous elections. This surge positions them as a pivotal player in coalition discussions, potentially granting a majority of 67 seats if they ally with Eisenkot's faction.
However, the prospect of partnering with Arab parties remains contentious within Israeli politics. Netanyahu has accused these parties of electoral misconduct, alleging foreign funding influences, which Qatar has denied. The right-wing narrative has framed the increased participation of Palestinian-Israelis as a form of "electoral terrorism," further complicating the political discourse surrounding the coalition talks.
