Feiglin Open to Eisenkot as PM in Certain Scenarios
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Moshe Feiglin, a candidate for the Religious Zionism-Zeut party, indicated he would not rule out serving under Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister during August negotiations. Feiglin also stated Benjamin Netanyahu is not a true right-winger. The talks with Yaron Zelekha's Economic Party failed, and Feiglin later joined Bezalel Smotrich's list, which includes support for Netanyahu. Feiglin's party claims the remarks were hypothetical and that Zelekha ended the talks.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Moshe Feiglin would not rule out Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister in certain government scenarios.
- Feiglin stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not a true right-winger.
- Feiglin's remarks were made during failed merger talks with Yaron Zelekha's Economic Party.
- Feiglin later joined Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism list, requiring support for Netanyahu.
- Feiglin's party claims the comments were hypothetical and Zelekha ended the negotiations.
Moshe Feiglin, who is second on the Religious Zionism-Zeut party list for the upcoming elections, stated during negotiations with Yaron Zelekha that he would not rule out serving in a government headed by Gadi Eisenkot. The remarks were made in August during talks aimed at uniting the parties, according to a report by Kan News. Feiglin was asked to define his political boundaries and the types of governments he would be willing to join. Sources present at the meeting reported Feiglin saying, "I wouldn't rule out Eisenkot as prime minister, perhaps in exchange for the defense portfolio." He also commented that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is not a true right-winger."
Zelekha was reportedly pleased with Feiglin's response, as he did not want to preemptively exclude any future government participation. However, the negotiations ultimately failed for other reasons. Feiglin later signed a technical merger agreement with Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party, securing the second spot on their list. This agreement allows Feiglin to operate as an independent faction in the next Knesset.
However, the agreement between Feiglin and Smotrich includes a clause requiring support for Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister, reportedly due to Smotrich's insistence. This clause is not legally binding and pertains to the recommendation stage for forming a government, not necessarily subsequent political developments.
The Zeut party responded that Feiglin's comments were made within the context of exploring hypothetical scenarios during negotiations with Zelekha, not as a declaration of intent to join an Eisenkot-led government. The party clarified that the discussed scenario involved a broad government with the Likud, where Feiglin would serve as Defense Minister and implement his policies. They also claimed Zelekha, who they accused of secretly recording the talks, sabotaged the negotiations by calling Feiglin "too right-wing." The Economic Party, led by Yaron Zelekha, declined to comment on the negotiations with Feiglin.
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