Right-wing demonstrators warn of civil war if Arab parties support new government

Several hundred right-wing protesters gathered outside the Knesset on Tuesday afternoon as the newly elected members of parliament were being sworn in. The demonstration, organized by the group Im Tirtzu, focused on opposing the potential formation of a government by Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with the backing of Arab-led political parties. Organizers and attendees warned that such a move could trigger a civil war within the country.

The central message of the rally was a denunciation of the Joint List and Ra’am parties. Protesters labeled these groups as supporters of terrorism and argued that any government dependent on their support would be illegitimate. Throughout the event, the crowd chanted that they wanted a Jewish state, asserting that reliance on Arab political parties would weaken the Jewish character of Israel.

Speakers at the protest issued strong warnings of potential bloodshed. One demonstrator told The Times of Israel that a civil war would erupt if a government supported by the Arab parties were established. The protest also included allegations that the recent elections were stolen, a claim tied to two investigations into possible fraud. Although senior officials have stated that the results of those inquiries will not change the election outcome, protesters demanded new votes.

President Isaac Herzog has granted Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a government. However, his chances are limited because his bloc lacks a majority without the support of the Joint List and Ra’am. Additionally, there is significant internal opposition within the Eisenkot bloc to swearing in a minority government that relies on Arab-led parties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently described the Joint List and Ra’am as supporters of terrorism to block such a coalition. He reiterated this claim in a speech to the Knesset on Tuesday. In response, the Arab-led parties strongly rejected the accusations. Joint List member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi noted to President Herzog earlier in the week that he, not Netanyahu, attended the funeral of a prominent peace activist killed by Hamas on October 7.

B’Yachad member of Knesset Ram Ben Barak also responded to the accusations. He stated that the only convicted terror supporter in the Knesset is Itamar Ben Gvir. This comment was a direct reaction to Ben Gvir’s claim that the Arab members of Knesset support Hamas and Hezbollah.

Police set up three rows of barriers manned by armed Border Police to manage the crowd. While the protest was largely peaceful, a group of several dozen demonstrators marched to the police line. They chanted that a government backed by Arab-led parties would be a betrayal of the fighters and shouted that one should not establish a government with terrorists.

Moshe, a protester from the town of Matan who declined to give his last name, explained that they are protesting against a coalition with members of Knesset who support terrorism. When asked why these members have not been arrested, he pointed to the Central Elections Committee’s ban on them for not supporting Israel as a Jewish state. He added that these members have no moral right to decide the survival policies of the state for children who have been fighting for three years.

Other speakers expressed concerns about security decisions. Ilana Giladi from Tirat Carmel argued that a government backed by the majority-Arab parties would endanger Israel Defense Forces soldiers. She referenced a 2022 incident during the Bennett-led government where Ra’am did not allow trees to be planted in the Negev. Amira Avraham from Moshav Tidhar stated that the Arab-led parties represent Palestinians rather than their Arab-Israeli constituents. She became emotional while asking who would give instructions to the army in a few months when her twins enlist, fearing that those who want to kill them would be in charge.