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- Neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor his opponents secured parliamentary majority, leaving Arab parties central to efforts to form government
By Said Amori and Rania Abushamala
JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL (AA) - Demonstrators rallied in several Israeli cities Saturday evening to demand a new government involving Arab parties, while right-wing activists held a counter-protest opposing their inclusion and calling for another election.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that thousands gathered at Habima Square in central Tel Aviv, urging the formation of a government in cooperation with the Joint List and Ra’am, the United Arab List.
Protesters carried signs with slogans including “Through partnership and equality, we change the government” and “The people gave you their support — form a government now,” before marching toward Rabin Square.
Haaretz reported similar demonstrations in other locations, including Paris Square in Jerusalem, where hundreds gathered, and the auditorium plaza in Haifa. Dozens also protested in Beersheba, while another demonstration took place at the Ras Amer junction near Tira and Tayibe.
Photos published by the newspaper showed protesters in Haifa and Tel Aviv carrying signs with the numbers “67” and “53,” reflecting the parliamentary balance following Tuesday’s election.
Parties opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a combined 67 seats in the 120-member Knesset, including 48 for Jewish parties in the change bloc and 19 for Arab parties. Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats.
Meanwhile, hundreds of right-wing activists demonstrated in Habima Square against cooperation with Arab parties, according to Haaretz.
They chanted slogans including “Bibi is king of Israel,” referring to Netanyahu, “The people want election integrity” and “The people demand new elections.”
Police designated a separate area for the right-wing protest, but dozens of activists arrived early and entered the area allocated to the demonstration supporting Israeli-Arab partnership, the newspaper said.
Despite their combined parliamentary majority, most Israeli-led parties opposed to Netanyahu rejected forming a governing coalition with Arab parties, according to The Times of Israel.
That left the Jewish parties in the change bloc with 48 seats, five fewer than Netanyahu’s bloc and short of the 61 needed for a majority.
The newspaper said neither Netanyahu nor his Zionist opponents could secure a governing majority without Arab party support or defections from the change bloc.
Ra’am has expressed its desire to join the government, while Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen has said his party is prepared to pave the way for removing Netanyahu’s government, Haaretz reported.
Rania R.a. Abushamala
