Eisenkot Pushes for National Unity Government Amidst Coalition Challenges

Gadi Eisenkot, a Member of Knesset, announced his intention to establish a "national emergency government" comprising four "change bloc" parties, potentially supported externally by Arab and possibly Haredi parties. This initiative comes as coalition talks following the recent elections remain complex, with no clear path to forming a government.

Eisenkot stated that his plan involves swiftly swearing in a government based on the "Zionist change and reform" parties, welcoming any party or MK who agrees to his four core principles, either immediately or gradually. He emphasized the urgency of the situation given the "enormous and fateful challenges" facing Israel.

He reported significant progress and "breakthroughs" in negotiations, though he noted that much remains undisclosed, contrasting his approach with "media briefings and spins." Eisenkot's team has been engaged in extensive, often undisclosed, negotiations, with meetings continuing even in the final hours before the President's decision.

Following consultations at the President's Residence, 67 MKs recommended Eisenkot to form the next government, while 46 recommended incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite these numbers, President Isaac Herzog acknowledged the difficulty in forming a stable coalition due to mutual disqualifications between and within blocs. Herzog plans to personally meet with party leaders to explore all possibilities and intends to assign the mandate to form a government on Sunday, November 6, 2026.

President Herzog had previously urged parties to move beyond "mental rigidity" and consider new approaches to government formation. The consultations concluded with a clear recommendation for Eisenkot, but the practical ability to assemble a government remains uncertain.