Eisenkot to Meet Lieberman, Bennett Amid Coalition Talks
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Gadi Eisenkot, tasked with forming Israel's 38th government, will meet with key political figures including Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett. These meetings aim to build consensus for a coalition government following the recent elections. Lieberman has signaled a willingness to compromise on the conscription law, a key issue for potential coalition partners like United Torah Judaism. President Isaac Herzog officially handed Eisenkot the mandate after he secured 67 recommendations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot will meet Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett to discuss forming a government.
- Eisenkot received the mandate to form Israel's 38th government from President Herzog.
- Avigdor Lieberman is willing to compromise on the conscription law for coalition talks.
- United Torah Judaism may join a government if the conscription law is agreed upon.
- Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension.
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, is scheduled to meet with Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, on Monday to discuss parliamentary maneuvers for the "change bloc" and the formation of a government. This meeting, the second between them since the election, comes a day before the new Knesset is sworn in and a day after Eisenkot received the mandate to form the 38th government. Eisenkot is also slated to meet with Naftali Bennett on Sunday evening and Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, on Tuesday.
The meetings are taking place in the wake of Lieberman's announcement that he is willing to compromise on the sensitive conscription law as part of efforts to form a government. Lieberman stated that the national interest requires flexibility on issues not falling within his three core demands: ending Benjamin Netanyahu's era, avoiding further elections, and opposing a government reliant on the abstention of the Joint List and Ra'am. He emphasized that on all other matters, "it is permissible and desirable to be flexible and compromise," including the conscription law, which he acknowledged is difficult but necessary given Israel's current challenges.
Following Lieberman's statement, a source from the United Torah Judaism party indicated a willingness to join Eisenkot's government, provided an agreement is reached on the conscription law. The source noted that the party had anticipated such developments and stated, "If they give us a conscription law, we will go with them. Absolutely. This is the most important thing right now. When this is resolved, the budgets will also be resolved. We are in politics, and in politics, you do what needs to be done."
President Isaac Herzog officially tasked Eisenkot with forming the government on Sunday. Eisenkot secured the recommendation of 67 Knesset members, including Arab parties, while 46 recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Seven members of Knesset from United Torah Judaism abstained from recommending anyone. Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a potential 14-day extension from the President.
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