Netanyahu May Form Coalition With Eisenkot, Reducing Ben-Gvir's Power, Analyst Says
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Channel 12 commentator Amit Segal believes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may form a coalition with Gadi Eisenkot, potentially reducing the influence of Itamar Ben-Gvir and the ultra-Orthodox parties. Segal presented two scenarios: one where no bloc wins decisively, leading to a joint government with marginalized smaller parties, and another where Netanyahu wins a majority but expands the coalition, diluting the power of his current allies. He expressed skepticism that Netanyahu is actively plotting to exclude Ben-Gvir, suggesting the dynamics are more complex.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Commentator Amit Segal suggests Netanyahu might form a coalition with Gadi Eisenkot, even with a 61-seat majority.
- Segal presented two scenarios for coalition formation during a Channel 7 conference.
- In one scenario, a lack of a clear election winner could lead to a joint government with Eisenkot.
- In another, a 61-seat majority might prompt Netanyahu to expand the coalition, diluting allies' power.
- Segal doubts Netanyahu is actively plotting to weaken Itamar Ben-Gvir for Eisenkot's inclusion.
- He believes the bargaining power of parties like Otzma Yehudit and the ultra-Orthodox could decrease.
Channel 12 commentator Amit Segal suggested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might form a government with Gadi Eisenkot, even if he secures a majority of 61 seats in the upcoming elections. Segal presented two scenarios during a Channel 7 conference where the composition of the next coalition could significantly change.
The first scenario involves a situation where no bloc achieves a clear victory, leading Netanyahu and Eisenkot to agree on forming a joint government, potentially with a rotation of the premiership. In such a case, Segal stated, either the ultra-Orthodox parties or Ben-Gvir, or both, would likely be marginalized. "This is a scenario that can happen in one of two ways," Segal explained. "One, if no decision is reached and then somehow there will be a rotation. In that case, there is no doubt that the sheep for atonement will be either the ultra-Orthodox or Ben-Gvir or both."
The second, more intriguing scenario, according to Segal, is if Netanyahu achieves a 61-seat majority but still chooses to bring additional parties into his government. "What happens if Netanyahu gets 61 seats and then Eisenkot or Bennett or Lieberman say: Come listen, okay, you won, let's join and dilute?" Segal questioned. In this situation, he believes Ben-Gvir and the ultra-Orthodox parties would not necessarily be excluded but their bargaining power would diminish. "I don't think Otzma Yehudit will be thrown out of the government, or the ultra-Orthodox, but their power will decrease," he explained. "This is natural when you are no longer a veto player."
However, Segal expressed doubt about the claim that Netanyahu is already planning to weaken Ben-Gvir to pave the way for Eisenkot's inclusion in the next coalition. "Is there a plot by Netanyahu to include Eisenkot in the next government from the outset, and he is working to diminish Ben-Gvir? I doubt it," he said. Segal elaborated that Netanyahu and his other political partners do not necessarily have a shared interest in weakening all the parties currently forming the coalition. "I'm not sure all these partners are very comfortable with the ultra-Orthodox, for example," he noted, adding that Netanyahu is not working to reduce the power of Shas, "On the contrary, in a certain sense."
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