Lieberman Won't Commit to Recommending Eisenkot Amid Coalition Talks
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, met with Gadi Eisenkot but did not commit to recommending him for prime minister, citing significant disagreements. A major dispute also concerns the next Knesset Speaker, with Lieberman demanding his party's MK Oded Forer be appointed, a move facing opposition from Arab parties and potentially Likud. Sources close to Eisenkot reject Likud's condition for unity government talks and state joining a Netanyahu-led government is not being considered.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman refused to commit to recommending Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister.
- A dispute over the next Knesset Speaker's identity is hindering coalition talks.
- Lieberman demands MK Oded Forer be appointed Knesset Speaker by the anti-Netanyahu bloc.
- Likud stated unity government talks require an end to efforts to replace the current Knesset Speaker.
- Eisenkot's camp rejects Likud's condition and insists the Knesset Speaker replacement will proceed.
- Eisenkot's camp also stated joining a Netanyahu-led government is not being considered.
Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman met with Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Tzionut Datit party, but refused to commit to recommending him to form the next government. The meeting, held Sunday, was part of post-election political maneuvering. Lieberman had previously met with Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid.
A significant dispute has emerged over the identity of the next Knesset Speaker. Lieberman is demanding that his party member, MK Oded Forer, be appointed to the position by the bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This demand presents a political challenge, as Arab parties are expected to oppose Forer's appointment, while there is concern that if his candidacy is rejected, Lieberman might obstruct the selection of any other candidate.
The disagreement over the Knesset speakership also extends to the Likud party. Sources close to Netanyahu have conveyed a message to Eisenkot stating that the Likud is willing to explore options for a unity government, but only if efforts to replace the current Speaker, Amir Ohana, cease. The message was clear: no unity government talks will commence as long as the moves to appoint a new Speaker continue.
However, sources close to Eisenkot have rejected the Likud's condition, asserting that the process to replace Ohana will proceed as planned. They also stated that joining a government led by Netanyahu is not currently under consideration.
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