Thousands rally in Tel Aviv urging Eisenkot to partner with Arab parties and use post-election majority to replace Netanyahu

Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, urging opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot and other Jewish-led parties to reach an agreement with Arab parties and use their combined parliamentary majority to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Around 2,000 demonstrators marched from Habima Square to Rabin Square, carrying signs declaring “there’s a majority for change” and “equality for all,” while chanting in support of Jewish-Arab political partnership.

A smaller right-wing counterprotest of around 200 people was also held, with participants demanding an investigation into allegations that the election had been “stolen.” Israeli election authorities and police have rejected claims of widespread electoral fraud.

Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc won 53 seats in Tuesday’s election, while the Jewish-led opposition bloc headed by Eisenkot secured 48.

Arab-led parties won an unprecedented 19 seats, giving Netanyahu’s opponents a combined 67 seats in the 120-member Knesset if they can agree on a framework for cooperation.

Eisenkot, however, pledged during the campaign not to form a coalition with Arab-led parties, leaving the opposition without a clear route to the 61 seats required to govern.

Pressure on him has increased since the election. Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List said Saturday that his party is prepared to support an anti-Netanyahu government from outside the coalition, without formally joining the cabinet.

Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen has also said initial contacts have begun with most leaders of the anti-Netanyahu bloc.

The demonstrations reflect a growing push among Netanyahu’s opponents to turn the election result into a Jewish-Arab parliamentary partnership rather than allow the political deadlock to produce another election or keep Netanyahu in power.