Democrats Recommend Eisenkot for Government; President Questions Post-Netanyahu Politics
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Democratic Party faction recommended former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, telling President Isaac Herzog that 67 Knesset members oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rule. Herzog questioned the opposition's post-Netanyahu strategy, asking if their platform is solely anti-Netanyahu. Efforts to form a united front continue, with Arab parties holding significant influence. Meanwhile, a demand was made to vote on replacing the Knesset Speaker.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Democrats recommended Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, citing 67 mandates against Netanyahu.
- President Herzog questioned the opposition's strategy beyond opposing Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Arab parties, holding 19 mandates, are now a decisive factor in the political balance.
- Yisrael Beiteinu demanded a vote to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana next Tuesday.
- The "change bloc" aims to form a parliamentary majority against the current government.
The Democratic Party faction met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday and recommended former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government. The delegation included MKs Efrat Rayten, Naama Lazimi, and Gilad Kariv, along with Gabriella Lasky-Schutz and Yaya Fink.
MK Kariv told Herzog that the recent elections represented a clear decision by 67 Knesset members against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's continued rule, stating, "There was a decision in the elections. It is difficult to translate it into governing reality, but there is a clear decision of 67 mandates against the continuation of Netanyahu's rule and this was the central question."
President Herzog questioned the opposition's long-term strategy, asking the Democratic representatives, "I always ask myself what they will do after Netanyahu steps down? What will the parties' campaign be? I argue with him endlessly, but is all of life about 'yes or no Netanyahu'? Hasn't the time come for the party to go for something big and shared?"
Herzog also personally addressed MK Lazimi, recalling her past opposition to his unity initiatives. Lazimi responded, "True. True. Mr. President."
The recommendation for Eisenkot comes amid efforts to form a united front to replace the current government. The leaders of the Joint List met with Democratic leader Yair Golan this week to coordinate actions aimed at realizing a parliamentary majority against Netanyahu. Netanyahu's bloc currently holds 53 mandates, while the "change bloc" has 48. Arab parties, with 11 mandates for the Joint List and 8 for Ra'am, have become a decisive factor.
Concurrently, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman sent a formal letter demanding a vote next Tuesday on replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. This demand follows an agreement among the change bloc leaders to oust Ohana, though no consensus has been reached on his successor.
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