Eisenkot Considers Three Government Formation Scenarios

Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party is exploring three distinct scenarios for forming Israel's next government, signaling a new phase in the country's political landscape. These options include forming a narrow coalition with external support from Arab parties, reaching an agreement with ultra-Orthodox or religious Zionist factions, or establishing a broad unity government with the Likud party, but without Benjamin Netanyahu as its leader. These possibilities were discussed following the election, as preliminary results and potential coalition complexities became clearer, according to Maariv.

Eisenkot addressed supporters, stating that voters had expressed a desire for change and a lack of confidence in the current government. He assessed that Netanyahu's political bloc had weakened, while his opponents garnered more significant voter support. Eisenkot emphasized that the high voter turnout indicated the public's serious engagement with the election, making another campaign a misguided step. He also implied that Netanyahu's departure from political life was necessary.

The first scenario involves a narrow government relying on external backing from Arab parties. However, an increased projected representation for Arab parties, potentially 17-18 seats instead of the anticipated 14-15, has complicated calculations for Eisenkot's team. The second option is a narrow coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties or religious Zionists, which would require complex political arrangements. The third scenario proposes a broad government including Likud, but excluding Netanyahu from leading the party or the government, as Eisenkot's circle believes the vote reflects a demand for new leadership rather than the exclusion of all Likud members.

Eisenkot's party also expressed concern over potential actions by the caretaker government. Some Yashar members fear Netanyahu might use the transition period to strengthen his position and hinder coalition negotiations. Eisenkot urged heads of security and civil service agencies to prioritize citizens' interests over individual politicians and to resist any attempts to politicize national security issues, assuring them of his full support.

Eisenkot also addressed military conscription and the establishment of a state investigative commission, key campaign issues. He pledged to end draft evasion, the suppression of problems, and political disinformation, vowing to represent all segments of the population. "The era of 'us and them' is over," Eisenkot declared, viewing the election results as an opportunity for a new national chapter, not a victory of one societal group over another. Earlier, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich reacted to preliminary election results, with the Otzma Yehudit chairman strongly opposing a broad government.