Eisenkot Calls Netanyahu’s Party to Join His Government

The camp of Prime Minister-designate Gadi Eisenkot is preparing to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, form parliamentary committees to push for the repeal of the judicial overhaul laws enacted by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, and establish an official inquiry into the October 7, 2023 attacks, amid disagreements over forming a minority government that relies on abstentions by Arab and Haredi parties.

President Isaac Herzog tasked Yesh Atid party leader Eisenkot with forming a government on Sunday, after receiving endorsements from 67 Knesset members, compared to 46 for Netanyahu, while warning of the political uncertainty facing the country in the wake of the US elections.

Herzog stated that “the State of Israel needs a stable government,” pointing to the “new political reality” in the United States following the midterm elections, in which Republicans lost their majority in Congress.

In a speech during his appointment ceremony, Eisenkot said, “If members of the Likud and Religious Zionism parties truly believe, as they informed the President, that this is the right time for unity, I see no reason preventing them from supporting a government led by me, based on the principles I have outlined,” referring to the Likud and the Religious Zionism party led by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Eisenkot has been given an initial deadline of 28 days, which can be extended by an additional 14 days by presidential decision, as the President may attempt to push for a unity government if negotiations stall.

If Eisenkot fails, political circles anticipate that Netanyahu may be tasked with forming a government for 28 days. If both candidates fail, the appointment process could move to the Knesset, where 61 members can request that one of the MKs be tasked with forming the government.

If no path succeeds within approximately 100 days, Israel faces a fifth election in just a few years.