Israeli President Pushes for Unity Government with Netanyahu and Eisenkot

By Вести-Ynet

Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba

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Russian · 4 newsrooms covering

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is seeking to form a unity government between Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party to avoid repeat elections. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has criticized the move, warning against a "fictitious unity government." The "change bloc" fears presidential pressure to cooperate with Netanyahu, whom they hold responsible for the October 7 attacks. If elected, Eisenkot's bloc plans to immediately seek to replace the Knesset Speaker.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

President Isaac Herzog is working to form a unity government between Likud and Yashar to prevent repeat elections.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Herzog's initiative, warning against a "fictitious unity government" with Netanyahu.
The "change bloc" fears presidential pressure to join a coalition with Netanyahu, citing the October 7 attacks.
Gadi Eisenkot's bloc plans to replace the Knesset Speaker as a first step after the elections.
Herzog stated he would "do everything in his power" to avoid repeat elections due to national challenges.

Israeli President Pushes for Unity Government with Netanyahu and Eisenkot — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is actively working towards forming a "unity government" following the upcoming Knesset elections, aiming to prevent further elections if no single bloc achieves a decisive victory. He has discussed this possibility with Knesset members, suggesting a coalition based on the two largest parties, Likud led by Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar led by Gadi Eisenkot.

Herzog stated on October 12 that he would "do everything in his power" to avoid repeat elections, emphasizing the significant national challenges facing Israel. His initiative has raised concerns among the "change bloc" parties, who fear he might use his mandate-granting authority to pressure them into cooperation.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the president's remarks, expressing hope that Herzog would not push for a "fictitious unity government" where Netanyahu might again "deceive his partners." Lapid declared his bloc would not participate in such a government and urged other parties in their camp to publicly reject it.

While other opposition parties have not yet responded, Ynet reports that Herzog intends to pressure Eisenkot's party members to support the unity government idea if the election results are inconclusive. The "change bloc" has consistently stated they will not support a government with Netanyahu, citing his alleged responsibility for the October 7 attacks and his attempts to evade accountability.

Despite opposition reluctance, the "change bloc" is preparing to swear in a government, even a minority one, if necessary. Eisenkot has previously indicated a preference for forming a government himself over allowing Netanyahu to lead a caretaker government. A key first step for Eisenkot and his allies would be to replace the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, a move that, according to a Supreme Court precedent, requires the signatures of 61 lawmakers.