Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of ‘racist’ campaign against Arab Israelis

Israeli prime ministerial candidate Gadi Eisenkot has launched a rare public defense of Arab Israelis, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of leading a "racist" campaign against the minority group. In a statement on X, Mr. Eisenkot wrote that Arab citizens are an integral part of the Israeli story and have been subjected to a "racist and aggressive campaign of delegitimization."

This comes after Netanyahu repeatedly alleged electoral fraud by Arab-led parties in the recent October 27 election, without providing evidence. He has also criticized these parties for refusing to label Hamas as a "terror group" following the October 7 attack on Israel, which all leaders have condemned. Despite the fact that Arab-majority parties won a record 19 seats in the recent elections and now hold significant power to form the next government, Mr. Eisenkot has ruled out forming a government with them, bringing his proposed coalition to 67 seats.