Eisenkot Challenges Netanyahu on Coalition Talks, Demands Support for Kahana as Knesset Speaker
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Gadi Eisenkot accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "spin" regarding unity government talks, stating a meeting was already set. Eisenkot outlined his conditions for joining a government and challenged Netanyahu to prove his intentions by supporting Matan Kahana for Knesset Speaker. Eisenkot received the mandate to form a government and has until December 6, 2026, to do so. The Likud is considering fielding a candidate for Knesset Speaker, potentially Elisha Madan.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot called Prime Minister Netanyahu's unity government proposal a "spin" and set conditions for participation.
- Eisenkot challenged Netanyahu to support Matan Kahana for Knesset Speaker as a test of coalition intentions.
- Netanyahu publicly urged Eisenkot to form a broad unity government to address national security and conscription.
- Eisenkot received the mandate to form a government and has until December 6, 2026, to present it.
- The Likud may nominate Elisha Madan for Knesset Speaker, despite anticipated opposition victory.
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's public call for unconditional unity government negotiations, labeling it a "spin." Eisenkot stated that a working meeting between their negotiation teams was already scheduled for the following day, implying Netanyahu's announcement was a tactic rather than a genuine initiative. Netanyahu had earlier appealed to Eisenkot to set aside differences and form a broad unity government to address the Iranian nuclear threat and the ultra-Orthodox conscription issue.
Eisenkot reiterated his conditions for joining a national emergency government, which include adherence to his principles and the exclusion of "extremists." He accused Netanyahu of deliberately creating obstacles to forming a new government and preventing the replacement of the Knesset Speaker. Eisenkot identified the upcoming Knesset vote on Tuesday as a crucial test of Netanyahu's intentions, suggesting that if the Likud and Religious Zionism parties are serious about partnership, they should support Matan Kahana, the candidate of the change bloc parties, for the position of Knesset Speaker.
Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman had previously agreed that the Knesset Speaker role would go to a Yisrael Beiteinu member, a departure from Lieberman's initial demand for Yair Lapid to hold the position. While the change bloc preferred a party leader for the role, Yisrael Beiteinu has not yet announced its specific candidate.
Eisenkot received the mandate to form a government from President Yitzhak Herzog after securing the recommendation of 67 Knesset members. He has until December 6, 2026, to present a government. Meanwhile, the Likud party is reportedly considering a tactical move in the Knesset Speaker race, potentially presenting Elisha Madan, a decorated soldier who lost his legs in Gaza, as a candidate against Kahana, though a final decision has not been made due to the perceived certainty of the opposition's victory.
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