Netanyahu Mobilizes to Thwart Eisenkot's Rapid Government Formation
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively working to prevent Gadi Eisenkot from forming a government, holding extensive meetings with Likud officials over the weekend. Netanyahu has assigned specific tasks to allies to block Eisenkot's efforts and is concerned about Haredi parties joining the opposition. He warned Haredi leaders that Eisenkot would not grant them a conscription law, but they countered that Eisenkot's law would survive judicial scrutiny.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu is actively working to prevent Gadi Eisenkot from forming a government.
- Netanyahu held extensive meetings with senior Likud officials over the weekend to discuss the threat.
- The Prime Minister has assigned specific tasks to allies to block Eisenkot's government formation efforts.
- Netanyahu is concerned about Haredi parties joining Eisenkot's potential coalition.
- Netanyahu warned Haredi leaders that Eisenkot would not grant them a conscription law.
- Haredi officials reportedly believe Eisenkot's conscription law would withstand judicial review.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fully engaged in efforts to thwart the formation of a "flash government" being attempted by Gadi Eisenkot, according to an i24NEWS report. Over the weekend, Netanyahu held extensive consultations and a series of meetings with senior Likud officials, recognizing the potential for Haredi parties to join Eisenkot's bloc as a serious concern, described by associates as an "event of truth."
As part of his counter-strategy, Netanyahu has assigned specific responsibilities and blocking tasks to his political allies. This initiative aims to prevent Eisenkot's government from materializing and potentially to find two defectors who could provide Netanyahu with the numbers needed to block its establishment. The Prime Minister is reportedly concerned that an alliance with United Torah Judaism could lead to a domino effect, drawing in Shas as well, despite current support from Arie Deri.
Netanyahu has been distributing "portfolio assignments" within his party. Bezalel Smotrich is tasked with addressing potential opposition from Yamina members to a government relying on Arab support. Meanwhile, Likud ministers have been given direct pressure assignments targeting Haredi factions. Some are instructed to make continuous calls to associates of Rabbi Hirsch, while others are directed to contact supporters of Rabbi Lando. Efforts are also underway to monitor and disrupt potential moves by other figures, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
In communications with senior Haredi figures, Netanyahu warned that Eisenkot would not grant them a conscription law, and that by joining his government, they would lose their leverage to oppose it later, as 61 seats are required to bring down a government. However, these Haredi officials reportedly responded that Eisenkot's conscription law, unlike Netanyahu's, would likely withstand judicial review by the High Court of Justice (Bagatz).
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