Eisenkot Mandate Faces Challenge From Lieberman's Alternative Plan
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, but Avigdor Lieberman is pursuing an alternative plan. Lieberman is negotiating with ultra-Orthodox parties for a 61-seat coalition excluding Arab parties, differing from Eisenkot's potential minority government. Lieberman stated he would not support a minority government and is seeking a coalition with Shas and United Torah Judaism. The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, was reportedly an intermediary, though he denied it.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot was tasked by President Herzog to form a government on November 8.
- Avigdor Lieberman is pursuing a separate plan to form a 61-seat government with ultra-Orthodox parties.
- Lieberman stated he will not support a minority government and prefers a coalition with Shas and United Torah Judaism.
- Eisenkot warned against blocking government formation for personal reasons.
- Moshe Lion, Mayor of Jerusalem, was reportedly an intermediary between Lieberman and ultra-Orthodox parties.
President Isaac Herzog has officially tasked Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the National Unity party, with forming a new government. However, Eisenkot appears to be losing ground in the process, as a key ally, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, is pursuing a separate strategy. Lieberman is reportedly engaging in direct talks with ultra-Orthodox parties, aiming to form a government of 61 Knesset members that excludes Arab parties. This contrasts with Eisenkot's reported preference for a 48-member emergency government, potentially relying on external support from Arab parties. Lieberman has stated he will not support a minority government and has presented his alternative: a coalition with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, or new elections. He has indicated flexibility on issues like the draft law to achieve this. The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, was reportedly acting as an intermediary between Lieberman and the ultra-Orthodox parties, though Lion denied involvement while abroad. Eisenkot alluded to Lieberman's obstructionism on November 7, warning that those blocking government formation for personal reasons would be remembered as "losers." Lieberman's plan involves first approaching United Torah Judaism, which has remained uncommitted, and then attempting to bring Shas into the fold. However, Shas, with six Knesset seats, is currently aligned with Benjamin Netanyahu, and its chairman, Arie Deri, has shown no immediate intention to shift allegiance. Lieberman's primary goal is to test the feasibility of an alternative government without Arab party support, with Shas being a crucial, yet hesitant, component for reaching the 61-seat majority.
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