Israeli Opposition Leaders Meet to Discuss Government Formation

Leaders of the "Change Bloc" are convening Tuesday for the first time since the elections to discuss their next steps in forming a government. The meeting, held at the Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliya, includes Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan.

This gathering occurs as political maneuvering intensifies. Yesterday, the Yisrael Beiteinu and Democratic parties announced they would recommend Eisenkot for Prime Minister in the upcoming presidential consultations. This follows Bennett's announcement that his party would recommend Yisrael Beiteinu's leader for the premiership, stating Bennett "clarified throughout the election campaign that he would respect the voters' decision, and so he is doing."

The bloc faces internal criticism. Sources within Bennett's party expressed regret over not uniting "Yisrael Beiteinu" and "Bayit Yehudi" earlier, suggesting they "gave them the sky, and they rejected the offer." Lieberman also sharply criticized Eisenkot's campaign leadership and the bloc's election results, calling the 48 mandates "much less than we expected" and placing responsibility on Eisenkot and his colleagues. Lieberman further stated he would not participate in forming a minority government.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to discuss forming a broad unity government under his leadership, including current coalition parties and any others willing to join. However, reports indicate Eisenkot has privately stated he would not serve under Netanyahu and would reject any intervention attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The article also briefly mentions that election results will be submitted to the President, even if not approved by a committee, and references a protest outside Eisenkot's home.