Israel's Political Stalemate: Eisenkot Tipped for Mandate Amid Ultra-Orthodox Hesitation
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
President Isaac Herzog is set to grant Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a government after consultations, with Shas and Religious Zionism backing Benjamin Netanyahu, while ultra-Orthodox parties remain undecided. Eisenkot also secured a recommendation from Ra'am, but faces challenges forming a majority coalition. Shas Chairman Arie Deri offered to resign after his party's electoral losses, but his resignation was rejected.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- President Herzog is expected to task Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government.
- Ultra-Orthodox parties Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah have refused to recommend any candidate.
- Shas and Religious Zionism recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the mandate.
- Ra'am announced it will recommend Gadi Eisenkot, who currently lacks a clear majority.
- Shas Chairman Arie Deri's offer to resign was rejected by his party's leadership.
- A potential unity government or external U.S. pressure could influence the outcome.
President Isaac Herzog has begun consultations with Knesset factions regarding the formation of a new government, with National Unity Chairman Gadi Eisenkot expected to receive the mandate to form a government. Shas and Religious Zionism recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Yisrael Beiteinu recommended Eisenkot. Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah, who will meet Herzog on Tuesday, have decided not to recommend any candidate, reportedly due to Netanyahu's failure to pass an exemption law for yeshiva students. However, MKs Meir Porush and Eliezer Stark, who left Agudat Yisrael to form a new faction within United Torah Judaism, are expected to recommend Netanyahu. Netanyahu had pressured the ultra-Orthodox parties to recommend him to project unity, but they are hesitant to be tied to him, signaling openness to both candidates and seeking the best offer. Ra'am announced it would recommend Eisenkot, but Eisenkot currently lacks a majority without Arab parties, while Netanyahu needs support from the "change bloc" to secure a majority.
Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah fear being sidelined in a potential unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot. Their combined 13 mandates could provide Eisenkot with a 61-seat majority, leading them to question why they should recommend Netanyahu. Eisenkot faces the challenge of forming a government without relying on Arab parties, with 28 days plus a two-week extension. In the event of a military escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump might pressure both leaders into a unity government, potentially leading to Herzog offering Netanyahu a future pardon if he steps aside for Eisenkot.
Meanwhile, Shas Chairman Arie Deri offered to resign following the party's electoral decline from 11 to 6 mandates, a move the party's Council of Sages rejected. Deri might resign from the Knesset while remaining party chairman, as he is ineligible to serve as a minister and Shas's coalition status is uncertain. If Deri leaves the Knesset, Moshe Abutbul would take his seat. MK Haim Biton may also resign to facilitate Uriel Buso remaining in the Knesset and aid the party's recovery.
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