Eisenkot declares on 'Meet the Press': Ra'am will not be part of the next government

Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot declared in an interview with 'Meet the Press' that Ra'am will not be part of the government under his leadership, due to their non-acceptance of the basic principles he set, including recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization. He ruled out the possibility of a minority government supported by Ra'am from the outside, and clarified that he is working to achieve 63-65 seats for the change bloc.

Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot was interviewed this evening (Saturday) on 'Meet the Press' and declared that Ra'am will not be part of the next government under his leadership. Eisenkot explained that he set three basic principles for cooperation: a Jewish-democratic state, the Declaration of Independence, and the duty of service, and added a fourth principle - recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization that must be destroyed. According to him, no Arab or Haredi party accepts these principles, so Mansour Abbas will not be in the coalition. He also ruled out the possibility of a minority government supported by Ra'am from the outside. Eisenkot said he is working around the clock to achieve 63-65 seats for the change bloc, and expressed confidence that Naftali Bennett will recommend him to the president to form the government if Yashar is the largest party in the bloc. He also addressed the code of ethics signed by his party members, and said that if he does not keep his promise, he expects every member to take a stand. The interview took place ahead of a meeting of change bloc leaders.