Netanyahu's Likud Weighs Coalition Offers for Opposition Leader Eisenkot

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party is reportedly exploring strategies to form a government, including a potential coalition with opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot. Sources close to Netanyahu suggest that the complex post-election political landscape might compel Eisenkot to reconsider his prior commitments. Several political arrangements are under consideration to persuade Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, to join a coalition with Likud. These proposals reportedly include a rotation in the prime minister's office and an initial government formation excluding ultra-Orthodox parties.

Despite Netanyahu's public statements about forming a strong right-wing government, his inner circle is said to be considering alternative paths to break the political deadlock following the Knesset elections. The preliminary results do not grant Netanyahu's bloc a clear majority. Eisenkot, who has publicly ruled out joining a government led by Netanyahu, is seen as a potential partner, with Likud believing that a lack of viable alternatives will force him to change his stance. Likud supporters argue that repeated elections would be politically disadvantageous for Eisenkot and could even jeopardize his leadership position.

One of the more surprising proposals reportedly discussed is a prime ministerial rotation, where Netanyahu would serve for approximately two years before handing over the position to Eisenkot. This scenario is linked to Netanyahu completing key foreign policy objectives, such as confronting Iran and advancing regional peace initiatives with US President Donald Trump, potentially around the end of Trump's term. However, there is no unified position within Netanyahu's circle on this specific arrangement. Another option being considered is offering Eisenkot a senior role in a future government, though specific details remain undisclosed.

A separate strategy involves forming a coalition initially without ultra-Orthodox parties, including Likud, Eisenkot's party, and those of Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. This would temporarily exclude Shas and United Torah Judaism, with the primary goal of advancing legislation on the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF. The plan suggests that once this legislation is passed, the ultra-Orthodox parties could join the coalition. Proponents believe this could be a significant achievement for Eisenkot, allowing him to present his participation as fulfilling a public demand.

However, initiators of these plans acknowledge that Eisenkot has not yet signaled any willingness to discuss such agreements. Doubts about the feasibility of these scenarios exist even within the right-wing bloc, with comparisons made to Benny Gantz's eventual agreement with Netanyahu only after multiple elections and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opposition figures reportedly view joining Netanyahu's government as detrimental to Eisenkot's political career. The article also notes the possibility of external pressure from President Yitzhak Herzog or President Trump, though it's deemed unlikely to sway Eisenkot. In a scenario of escalating tensions with Iran, the opposition might support government decisions without formally joining the coalition, preserving their political independence.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu's camp is also considering a path to a majority by attracting individual Knesset members from opposition parties if the final vote count brings his bloc close to 60 seats. Likud sources claim potential candidates have been identified, but no confirmed agreements exist. The final election results are pending the completion of ballot counting, and none of the discussed scenarios guarantee Netanyahu's ability to form a government at this stage.