Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Labor) blasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for remarks he made challenging Israeli Arab protestors to go live under Palestinian rule in the West Bank or Gaza.
“Whoever adds fuel to the fire mustn’t be surprised by the height of the flames,” Herzog said, going on to accuse Netanyahu of chasing votes rather than governing. “Israel has no responsible national leadership.”
Sticking up for Israeli Arabs who “are citizens of Israel,” Herzog called for restraint amid a wave of protests sparked by the police shooting that killed an Arab teen last week after he attacked a squad car.
Herzog said he expects to lead the next government and invited parties across the political spectrum from Meretz to Yisrael Beytenu to be part of the coalition “so long as they agree to basic principles.” A top priority would be reviving the peace process with the Palestinians. 