Likud Ministers Open to Serving in Government Led by Gadi Eizenkot Amid Netanyahu's Broad Coalition Push

Several Likud ministers have not ruled out joining a government headed by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing campaign to form a broad national government. Education Minister Yoav Kish stated in a June 29 interview on Galei Tzahal that if Eizenkot were to tell Netanyahu "either you join or I rely on Arab votes," such a move would have legitimacy. Kish emphasized that everyone publicly opposes relying on Arab parties but acknowledged the political reality.

Likud Minister Ofir Kara also expressed openness to serving under Eizenkot, telling a podcast that while he believes the party should be a strong opposition to such a government, he does not categorically reject the possibility. Kara noted the difficulty of forming a coalition with those whose main goal is opposing Netanyahu but left the door open if Eizenkot receives a mandate from the public.

These statements come as Netanyahu intensifies efforts to build a wide-ranging national government, rejecting a left-wing coalition dependent on Arab parties. In a recent statement, Netanyahu reiterated his desire for a government based on clear principles, including Israel as the Jewish nation-state, self-defense capabilities, economic and military independence, and opposition to a Palestinian state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. He invited all parties willing to accept these principles to join his coalition.

Polls indicate Netanyahu cannot form a government without parties outside his traditional right-wing and ultra-Orthodox bloc, underscoring the complexity of the current political landscape. Netanyahu's campaign aims to unify a broad spectrum of Israeli society around a stable government amid ongoing internal and external challenges.