Lieberman and Eisenkot Confident in Forming Four-Year Government

Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot expressed strong confidence on Monday, November 9th, in their ability to form a stable four-year government following their meeting. The leaders of Yisrael Beiteinu and Yesh Atid held discussions after Eisenkot was tasked by the president on November 8th, 2026, to form the government. Despite significant disagreements and public disputes, both described the meeting as productive and positive.

Prior to meeting Lieberman, Eisenkot met with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the HaTzionut HaDatit party, who had largely stayed out of public view since the election results. No statements were made by either side after their meeting. Amidst coalition talks concerning the potential participation of ultra-Orthodox parties, Bennett's supporters are concerned that HaTzionut HaDatit might abandon its pledge to cease state funding for those not serving in the military or civil service.

Future MKs from HaTzionut HaDatit voiced these concerns during an introductory visit to the Knesset on Monday, ahead of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset. Liran Avishar Ben-Horin stated that the party aims to form a government quickly and keep all options open for now, emphasizing that negotiations should be private and their silence does not imply agreement. She added that the goal is to achieve results as close as possible to what was promised to voters. Yonatan Shalev, set to become the youngest MK in history at 24, joined HaTzionut HaDatit for its reform aimed at benefiting those who serve, advocating for a Zionist government and ruling out compromise on this reform. He believes the outgoing government harmed the interests of soldiers and other service members.

United Torah Judaism continued discussions on Monday, November 9th, regarding joining a "change bloc" coalition. Yitzhak Goldknopf, chairman of Agudat Yisrael (part of UTJ), supports a coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot. A key demand from the ultra-Orthodox party is not only to pass a law exempting yeshiva students from conscription, which they failed to achieve under Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but also to protect it from being overturned by the High Court of Justice. UTJ proposes either passing a companion law or including protective clauses within the conscription law itself. Yisrael Beiteinu and Yesh Atid have offered different solutions. Lieberman stated on November 8th, 2026, that he would only discuss laws that can withstand judicial review.

The newspaper "HaModia," associated with the Gur Hasidic sect represented by Goldknopf, explained UTJ's stance. The paper stated that UTJ, unlike other factions, did not recommend a candidate to form a government due to the unresolved issue of yeshiva students' status. "HaModia" believes that participation in a coalition hinges on securing the ability for yeshiva students to continue their studies and maintain their status. The newspaper noted that Netanyahu's former partners failed to fulfill their commitments, and the ultra-Orthodox felt they were not equal partners. They now demand guarantees for the fulfillment of agreements beyond the signed contract. Criticism also appeared in "HaMevaser," a newspaper affiliated with MK Meir Porush, representing a wing of Agudat Yisrael close to Netanyahu. The author accused right-wing partners of delaying the decision for four years, with some MKs opposing yeshiva student exemption even within a framework that included sanctions or significant restrictions. The author speculated that a similar law from the left might face less judicial resistance and questioned whether Netanyahu and Religious Zionism would change their positions if Eisenkot failed to form a government and the right and ultra-Orthodox gained a majority in new elections.

Meanwhile, Yesh Atid faction head Roi Folkman proposed that Shas and UTJ join in collecting signatures to change the Knesset speaker at the new Knesset's first session. UTJ refused to support the initiative, and Shas is also expected to decline.