Israel Opposition Backs Gadi Eisenkot to Form Government
Israeli opposition leaders have united to support former military chief Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister in a bid to replace Benjamin Netanyahu.
Opposition leaders in Israel have reached an agreement to back former military chief Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister, aiming to remove Benjamin Netanyahu from power following an inconclusive election. Five party heads gathered in Herzliya north of Tel Aviv for their first joint session since the October 27 vote, which left neither political bloc with a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. This consensus emerged just before President Isaac Herzog began formal consultations with political factions regarding the formation of the next administration. ## Israel Eisenkot Alliance Challenges Netanyahu
The coalition effort brings together Eisenkot, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman, Yair Golan of the Democrats, and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid. In a formal statement, these figures announced that all their respective parties would recommend Eisenkot to the president, with negotiating teams immediately starting work on policy frameworks and coalition terms. The grouping aims to swap the current administration for a national emergency government.
Despite the joint front, divisions persist concerning potential partnerships with Arab-led parties, whose support could influence the final outcome. The alliance is adhering to four conditions set by Eisenkot, requiring all government members to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state and classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, stipulations that might exclude certain Arab lawmakers. Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, the opposition gathered 48, and Arab-led parties won 19, while a parliamentary majority requires 61 seats. President Herzog is scheduled to conduct discussions over two days, and Eisenkot could potentially gather the highest number of recommendations if Arab parliamentarians lend their backing.
Israeli opposition parties united to back Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister to replace Benjamin Netanyahu.
Why it matters
The opposition's decision to rally behind Gadi Eisenkot initiates a race to form a new government ahead of presidential consultations, directly challenging Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure. While the bloc seeks to assemble a parliamentary majority quickly, internal disagreements over engaging with Arab-led parties highlight deep political fractures within Israel's legislative landscape.