Feiglin Open to Eisenkot as PM in Hypothetical Deal

Moshe Feiglin, chairman of the Zehut Party and second on the Religious Zionism list, expressed openness in closed-door talks to considering a government led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, provided he received the Defense Ministry portfolio. These remarks, made in August during negotiations with Economic Party chairman Yaron Zelekha, also included criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Feiglin described as "not truly a right-wing man."

Feiglin's stance on Netanyahu is complex; while he recently stated Netanyahu should have taken responsibility after October 7th, he also praised his economic achievements and contributions to energy agreements. Feiglin's criticism, he claims, stems from policy disagreements rather than personal animosity.

However, Feiglin's reported willingness to consider Eisenkot as prime minister contrasts sharply with his public statements made in October, when he vehemently opposed Eisenkot taking power, likening him to "Yitzhak Rabin's direct successor" and associating him with the Oslo Accords, a political camp Feiglin opposes.

Feiglin later signed a technical merger agreement with the Religious Zionism party, securing the second spot on their joint list. This agreement reportedly includes a commitment to recommend Netanyahu for prime minister, a clause allegedly insisted upon by Bezalel Smotrich.

The Zehut Party clarified that Feiglin's remarks about Eisenkot were made within the context of "hypothetical scenarios" for a broad government including the Likud, where Feiglin would serve as defense minister. The party accused Zelekha of selectively releasing parts of the conversation. The revelations highlight the gap between Feiglin's past considerations and his subsequent political commitments shortly before the elections.