Arab parties could decide Israel's next government as Eisenkot moves to unseat Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to name Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the center-right Yashar party, to attempt forming a coalition government on Sunday, potentially ousting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after last month's election. Eisenkot's opposition bloc holds 67 seats with support from Arab-led parties, including the Joint List and Raam, while Netanyahu's right-wing alliance has 46 seats. The Joint List, which rejects defining Israel as a Jewish state, will back Eisenkot from outside the government to remove Netanyahu. Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister until a coalition is formed, and failure by either candidate would trigger another election. Arab parties seek policy influence on issues like ending the occupation and fighting crime, though some Eisenkot allies oppose their participation.