Eisenkot Pushes Minority Government Plan, Criticizes Lieberman

By מורן אזולאי, יובל קרני

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

CenterCharged tone

Hebrew · 2 newsrooms covering

Gadi Eisenkot is advancing a plan for a minority government supported by Ra'am and potentially Yahadut HaTorah, following Avigdor Lieberman's shift towards a coalition with Haredi parties. Eisenkot criticized those who would obstruct the formation of a government, calling it a critical moment for Israel. He outlined four core principles for his proposed national emergency government, including recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and mandating service for all citizens. Other political figures have expressed differing views, with Naftali Bennett's party affirming support for Eisenkot's efforts.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Gadi Eisenkot plans a minority government, facing opposition from Avigdor Lieberman's new stance.
Eisenkot warns against obstructing government formation, calling it a critical moment for Israel.
Eisenkot's proposed government is based on four core principles for national emergency.
Avigdor Lieberman has dramatically changed his position to support a government with Haredi parties.
Naftali Bennett's party publicly backs Eisenkot's difficult coalition-building efforts.

Eisenkot Pushes Minority Government Plan, Criticizes Lieberman — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, is proceeding with his plan to form a minority government of 48 Knesset members, supported externally by Ra'am and potentially Yahadut HaTorah. This comes after Avigdor Lieberman, also of Yisrael Beiteinu, dramatically shifted his stance to support a government with the Haredi parties, including compromises on conscription. Eisenkot, who secured 67 recommendations compared to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 46, stated his intention to fulfill the mandate given by the public and the president with "sacred awe." He implicitly criticized Lieberman, warning that anyone who obstructs the government's formation for personal, non-substantive reasons will be remembered historically for failing to rise to the occasion during Israel's emergency. Eisenkot emphasized that Israel is in a "real, tangible, and dangerous state of emergency," with the current government threatening Israeli democracy while war fronts remain open and subject to political whims. He proposed forming a national emergency government quickly, based on four "Zionist change and reform" parties, with any party or MK agreeing to his four core principles joining, either immediately or gradually. Eisenkot argued that a transitional prime minister who has lost public trust should not continue to operate security and law enforcement systems for even a day, stressing the urgency to replace the outgoing government as per the public's mandate. His four principles include recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accepting the values of the Declaration of Independence, mandating service for all (military, national, or civilian) to strengthen the IDF, and recognizing Hamas as a terror organization committed to dismantling its military and governing power. He intends to invite all Knesset factions to join his government under his leadership if they agree to these principles. Meanwhile, Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, posted a warning against a unity government without mentioning opposition to sitting with Haredi parties. Naftali Bennett, chairman of Yamina, has remained silent, but his party's CEO, Bruria Naim Arman, stated that Bennett continues to support Eisenkot's efforts and that quiet, responsible action is needed to achieve significant results, urging patience and trust in Bennett to lead a "Zionist reform government."