67 Knesset members back Eisenkot's bid for emergency government
The Yashar leader has six weeks to build a coalition that unites Jewish and Arab parties, a task he says is essential to avoid a second round of elections.
By Amina Howard ·
Sixty-seven members of the incoming 120-seat Knesset formally asked President Isaac Herzog to appoint Gadi Eisenkot as the next Israeli prime minister. Eisenkot, the leader of the centrist Yashar party, received the mandate on Sunday at the President's Residence. He now has a maximum of six weeks to assemble a governing coalition before the window closes.
Eisenkot described the current political moment as a national emergency. He pointed to active combat on multiple fronts and a drop in Israel's standing among international allies and adversaries. "Israel is in a challenging and fateful state of emergency," he said. He warned that continuing on the current path risks reaching a point of no return for the country's society and democratic institutions.
The task of forming this government is complicated by deep divisions among the parties backing him. The support base splits into two distinct groups. A Jewish-led bloc holds 48 seats, while an Arab-led bloc holds 19. Arab parties have promised to support or refrain from opposing an Eisenkot government. However, members of the Jewish bloc have stated they will not join a cabinet that relies on the Arab factions for its majority.
Eisenkot did not specify which path he would take to secure a majority. He left open the possibility of governing as a minority or seeking support from Haredi parties that have historically aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He outlined four principles for any coalition partner: a commitment to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, acceptance of the Declaration of Independence values, mandatory national service, and the recognition of Hamas as a terror group.
The former defense minister rejected the idea of holding a new election if he fails to form a government. He argued that Israel cannot afford to waste time on endless rounds of voting. "Israel does not have the privilege of wasting time or repeating endless rounds of elections," he said. He also responded to claims by Netanyahu and allies that the recent election was stolen, calling unity a supreme value rather than a political bargaining chip.
President Herzog urged Eisenkot to build the most stable government possible during the handover ceremony. Herzog noted that Eisenkot had the clear support of a majority of lawmakers, even though Likud remains the largest single party with 27 seats. Herzog suggested a unity government could be a solution, but Eisenkot has pledged not to serve under Netanyahu, and the current prime minister has not indicated he will step aside.
Eisenkot warned against personal grievances derailing the process. He specifically addressed disagreements with Avigdor Liberman, the chairman of Yisrael Beytenu, who is scheduled to meet with him on Monday. Liberman has denied trying to block the government and said he no longer seeks the premiership. Eisenkot vowed to handle the negotiations with patience and a deep commitment to a liberal and secure Israel.
