Gilad Erdan has issued a response to a statement by Aliza Bloch, a member of his own political slate, who said Monday that Arabs 'certainly have a place' in the Israeli government. The content of Erdan's response has not yet been detailed.
Gilad Erdan has issued a response to the remarks made earlier Monday by Dr. Aliza Bloch, a prominent member of his Erdan-Edelstein slate, according to a report by The Zioneer. The exact content of his response has not yet been disclosed.
Earlier Monday, at 09:06 Jerusalem, Bloch said in a studio interview that she wants 'the broadest possible government' and that 'Arabs certainly have a place in the Israeli government.' She subsequently elaborated, stating she would support an Arab party that backs national service and recognizes Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and called to 'stop with these walls.' Those statements built on her initial comments earlier in the day expressing openness to Arab representation in government, as The Zioneer reported.
The discussion over Arab inclusion in a right-wing-led coalition has drawn attention. On Sunday, commentator Yaakov Bardugo claimed that Erdan would prefer a coalition with Arab parties over one led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing the former ambassador as a 'full left-winger,' as The Zioneer reported. Erdan's response to Bloch is expected to clarify his stance on coalition-building ahead of the next government formation.
The precise wording of Erdan's reply has not been made public, leaving open the degree to which he aligns with Bloch's position and how he intends to navigate coalition negotiations.
8 developments
- StrongErdan rejects coalition with Ra'am, Joint List; only Zionist Arabs welcome in government
- StrongAliza Bloch declares candidacy for Education Minister
- StrongCoalition official: New parties by Erdan, Edelstein, Gantz, Shamchi will ultimately align with Netanyahu
- DevelopingKalach: Political maneuvering designed to form government with Bennett, Lapid, Eisenkot, Abbas, and Golan
Source and signal
- Open-source intake