After Divisive Speech, Eisenkot Accuses Netanyahu of Fueling Racist Hostility Against Arabs
Eisenkot’s public criticism
Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief seeking to form Israel’s next government, criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday. He accused Netanyahu of encouraging hostility toward the country’s Arab citizens.
Eisenkot made the accusation in a social media statement, describing the campaign against Arab citizens as racist and aggressive. He said Netanyahu and people around him had driven it for political purposes.
A dispute over Arab citizens
The criticism followed a divisive speech in which Netanyahu attacked Arab lawmakers. Eisenkot’s statement marked some of his strongest public criticism of his rival’s treatment of the Arab community.
Eisenkot said attempts to marginalize Arab citizens and vilify them collectively violated principles of statesmanship. He also said those efforts dishonored Israel’s founding declaration and the values of a Jewish and democratic state.
Rights in the declaration
Israel’s Declaration of Independence states that all citizens have equal social and political rights, irrespective of religion, race or sex. Eisenkot invoked that commitment in his criticism of the campaign against Arab citizens.
Key points
- Eisenkot accused Netanyahu and his allies of fueling a racist campaign against Arab citizens.
- His statement followed Netanyahu’s speech criticizing Arab lawmakers.
- Eisenkot said collective vilification violated principles of statesmanship and Israel’s Declaration of Independence.
- The declaration promises citizens equal social and political rights regardless of religion, race or sex.