Israeli Parties Launch Coalition Talks After President's Mandate Decision
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Israeli political parties have accelerated coalition talks after President Yitzhak Herzog concluded consultations and is set to assign Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a new government. The outgoing coalition lost its majority in the recent elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the potential formation of an opposition government, while other party leaders are exploring compromises, including with ultra-Orthodox factions. Eisenkot has set four core conditions for potential partners, as hundreds protested in Tel Aviv in support of a government including Arab parties.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog will task Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government after consultations with all Knesset factions.
- The outgoing coalition lost its parliamentary majority in the recent elections, securing only 53 out of 120 seats.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the potential opposition government "national suicide" and warned against Arab party support.
- Avigdor Lieberman and Yair Golan expressed openness to compromises and negotiations with ultra-Orthodox and religious parties.
- Gadi Eisenkot set four conditions for coalition partners, including mandatory service and eliminating Hamas.
- Hundreds protested in Tel Aviv, demanding a government including Arab parties and a change in leadership.
Israeli political parties have intensified negotiations to form a new government following consultations by President Yitzhak Herzog, who is expected to task Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, with forming the next cabinet. The outgoing coalition lost its parliamentary majority in the recent elections, securing only 53 out of 120 seats, while the "change bloc" garnered 48 seats, and the Arab parties Ra'am and the "United List" together won 19 seats.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the potential formation of an opposition government as "national suicide," demanding a broad national unity coalition that includes all factions of his bloc. He warned that a government with external support from Arab parties would "destroy the country from within," abandon the fight against Hamas, and lead to widespread internal unrest.
Meanwhile, leaders of the "change bloc" are exploring alternative scenarios to form a parliamentary majority without Likud. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, publicly lifted a long-standing ban on dialogue with ultra-Orthodox factions, expressing readiness for difficult compromises. Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, confirmed openness to negotiations with religious parties but stressed the necessity of mandatory army conscription for young Haredim, their labor market integration, and mutual respect for secular lifestyles.
Ultra-Orthodox parties have also signaled a potential shift. Representatives of the Shas party's council of sages indicated they would not obstruct a coalition agreement with Eisenkot if the United Torah Judaism party decides to join. Eisenkot himself outlined four core conditions for future partners: recognition of Israel's Jewish and democratic character, adherence to the Declaration of Independence, mandatory military or alternative service for all citizens, and the unconditional elimination of Hamas's rule.
Concurrently, hundreds of citizens demonstrated in Habima Square, Tel Aviv, advocating for a government that includes Arab parties and demanding a complete change in the country's current leadership.
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