Herzog Taps Eisenkot to Form Israeli Government
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog has officially tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government after he secured recommendations from 67 Knesset members. Eisenkot has 28 days to form a coalition, facing complex negotiations and disagreements, particularly with Avigdor Lieberman and over the inclusion of Arab and Haredi parties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who received 46 recommendations, called for a unity government, while Eisenkot's challenges include the conscription law and defining cooperation with Arab parties.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- President Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government after he received 67 Knesset recommendations.
- Eisenkot has 28 days to form a coalition, facing significant political hurdles and inter-party disputes.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu garnered 46 recommendations, advocating for a broad national unity government.
- Disagreements persist over the inclusion of Arab parties and Haredi parties, as well as the conscription law.
- Avigdor Lieberman is reportedly at odds with Eisenkot over coalition composition and potential alliances.
- Aryeh Deri stated his intention not to dismantle the right-wing bloc.
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog officially tasked Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next Israeli government on Sunday. Eisenkot received recommendations from 67 Knesset members, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu garnered 46. Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension, amidst complex political negotiations and inter-party disagreements on the coalition's composition.
Eisenkot secured recommendations from the Yashar, Telem, Democratic Union, Yisrael Beiteinu, United Arab List, and Joint List parties. Netanyahu's recommendations came from the Likud, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, and Shas parties. The United Torah Judaism bloc abstained from recommending any candidate. Despite the majority of recommendations, Eisenkot does not yet have a ready coalition, as disputes over the government's makeup and parties' willingness to participate persist.
Arab parties have recommended Eisenkot, with the Joint List and United Arab List supporting his bid as part of the opposition's effort to end Netanyahu's tenure. Eisenkot faces challenges in defining cooperation with Arab parties, particularly given his stated conditions, including recognizing Hamas as a "terrorist organization."
The tasking comes amid disagreements between Eisenkot and Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman regarding the next government's structure and potential cooperation with Haredi parties. Channel 13 reported Lieberman suggesting Eisenkot might form a government relying on Arab party support, which he deemed embarrassing. Sources close to Eisenkot accused Lieberman of obstructing coalition formation due to "personal whims," emphasizing their commitment to a law mandating military service for all, a key condition set by Eisenkot.
Channel 13 also revealed contacts between Lieberman's associates and Haredi party officials to explore political cooperation for a 61-seat majority government without relying on Arab parties. However, the mandatory conscription law remains a significant obstacle due to disagreements over Haredi conscription.
Meanwhile, Shas party leader Aryeh Deri conveyed to Netanyahu that he would not dismantle the right-wing bloc. Netanyahu had previously called for a broad national unity government of "national camp" and Zionist parties, warning that any other government could lead to the "erasure of the State of Israel" and urging a government that preserves Israel's Jewish character and addresses the Iranian nuclear threat.
Eisenkot begins his 28-day mandate with efforts to translate parliamentary recommendations into coalition agreements, though disputes over Arab and Haredi parties and the conscription law threaten the formation of a stable government.
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