President Herzog's Consultations Aim to Forge Unity Government
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
President Isaac Herzog's recent consultations with political parties are seen as an effort to establish a unity government, potentially involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog is expected to task Gadi Eisenkot with forming the government, but reportedly prefers a unity coalition. The process has been criticized as a formality, with parties like "Together" and Yair Lapid expressing strong opposition to Netanyahu's involvement. The chances of Eisenkot forming a stable government appear slim.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- President Herzog's consultations are viewed as a push for a Netanyahu-inclusive unity government.
- Gadi Eisenkot is expected to be tasked with forming the next government.
- Herzog reportedly favors a unity government over a minority coalition for Eisenkot.
- Parties like "Together" and Yair Lapid have voiced strong opposition to Netanyahu.
- The article criticizes the presidential consultation process as ceremonial and outdated.
President Isaac Herzog's recent consultations with various political factions, held at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on November 5, 2026, have been characterized as a theatrical performance designed to pave the way for a unity government, potentially including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The author criticizes the traditional consultation process as archaic and unnecessary, suggesting that party positions could be communicated via text message. The article highlights Herzog's role in questioning party representatives, likening it to a journalistic interview, with the aim of generating headlines and creating interest in what is described as a largely ceremonial event.
Herzog is expected to task former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government. The President reportedly dislikes the idea of Eisenkot forming a minority government reliant on Arab parties and is actively working to facilitate a unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot. Herzog has been observed offering praise and criticism to party representatives, seemingly steering them towards this goal, and expressing impatience with factions hindering the process, including Otzma Yehudit, the Democrats, and Arab parties.
During the consultations, Herzog questioned the Democratic party representatives about their ability to form a minority government, using a metaphor previously employed by Netanyahu. He also addressed the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, expressing regret over the Supreme Court's narrow decision to cancel the Tal Law, a law exempting Haredi men from military service. This statement was seen as an attempt to appease the party, despite the law's cancellation being beneficial for IDF reserves.
Representatives from the "Together" party, including Meirav Cohen, voiced strong opposition to a government with Netanyahu, whom Cohen described as a "scorpion" who breaks promises. Yair Lapid, a leader of the "Change Bloc," dismissed the possibility of a government with Netanyahu as a mere fantasy. The article concludes by noting the slim chances of Eisenkot successfully forming a government, given the hesitations of religious parties and the complexities involved, with the "Change Bloc" hoping to leverage control of the Knesset to eventually form a government.
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