Hamas, conscription and a Jewish state: Ahmad Tibi responds to Eisenkot - and warns against a move by Netanyahu

In an interview with 'The Independent in Arabic', Ahmad Tibi addresses the four conditions set by Eisenkot, warns against a move by Netanyahu to exploit a war with Iran, and states that the Joint List will not join the government but will serve as an external safety net.

In an interview with 'The Independent in Arabic', MK Ahmad Tibi (Joint List) addresses the four conditions set by Gadi Eisenkot for forming a government and warns against a move by Netanyahu to exploit a war with Iran to stay in power. Tibi states that the conditions – recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, commitment to the Declaration of Independence, mandatory military/national/civil service for all, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization – do not apply to the Joint List, as it will not be part of the government but will serve as an external safety net. He assesses that Netanyahu may strike Iran to ignite a war, form a unity government with Eisenkot, or lead to further elections. Tibi clarifies that the preferred option is a government headed by Eisenkot, which would remove Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben Gvir. He emphasizes that the next government will not be a peace government and will not work to establish a Palestinian state, but it will be 'less bad'. Tibi calls on Eisenkot to act to end Jewish terrorism in the West Bank and notes that the Arab community brought down the Netanyahu government.