Tibi urges Eisenkot to form minority government, calls Netanyahu ‘biggest destroyer’ of region

• The Joint List ruled out negotiations with Netanyahu and signaled its readiness to support an alternative government.
• Opposition leaders reportedly agreed to consider including ultra-Orthodox parties in a potential coalition.
• Thousands reportedly demonstrated in Tel Aviv, demanding political change and Arab-party participation in a new government.

Ahmad Tibi, head of the Joint List parliamentary bloc in the Knesset, called on opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a minority government with the backing of Arab parties on Saturday, arguing that removing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power should be the priority.

Tibi described Netanyahu as the biggest destroyer of both ‘Israel’ and the wider region, accusing his government of committing crimes against multiple segments of society.

He said the Joint List holds a pivotal position in the political negotiations and reiterated that his bloc would not engage in talks with Netanyahu. Tibi added that the current government had effectively become a minority administration and that the Joint List was prepared to give Eisenkot an opportunity to form an alternative government.

Tibi also announced plans to request an urgent Knesset session to elect a new speaker, in what he described as an effort to end the parliament's dependence on Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, Hebrew-language outlet Walla reported that opposition leaders and members of the so-called “change bloc” had agreed to pursue the formation of a new government “at any cost.”

Following a joint meeting, opposition leaders reportedly agreed to put aside previous campaign commitments and consider including ultra-Orthodox parties in a potential coalition. The discussions come amid growing calls from Democrats party leader Yair Golan to prioritize replacing Netanyahu's government.

Separately, Channel 12 reported that thousands of demonstrators had taken to the streets of Tel Aviv, demanding political change and calling for a new government that includes Arab parties.

The developments point to renewed efforts within the opposition to assemble an alternative governing coalition, with Arab parties potentially playing a decisive role in determining whether Netanyahu remains in power.

Read more: Eisenkot pushes for emergency government, says Netanyahu lacks Knesset majority