Israeli Opposition Leaders Confer on Post-Netanyahu Government

Following legislative elections, Israeli opposition figures are intensifying discussions aimed at forming a government to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yair Golan, president of the Democrats, met on Thursday with several political leaders to explore coalition possibilities. He conferred with Gadi Eisenkot, whose Yashar! party topped the opposition bloc, and Yair Lapid, number two on the B'Yachad list, to coordinate their next steps. According to a statement, Golan and Eisenkot discussed election results and their "common commitment to realizing the voters' will as soon as possible," with Golan noting their shared dedication to Israel's security.

Golan also met with Mansour Abbas, president of Ra'am, to discuss building a partnership and exploring options for a "government of repair and salvation for Israel." This aligns with Golan's recent call for a coalition including Arab parties. "We will not give up the opportunity to change things," Golan stated, expressing determination to act with "courage and responsibility."

While the opposition and Arab parties together would command a majority of 67 seats in the Knesset, surpassing the 61 needed, political obstacles remain. Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman have previously ruled out participation by Arab parties in a government. Lieberman, head of Yisrael Beiteinu, reiterated his refusal to govern with Arab parties or with Netanyahu, stating his preference for a coalition of "Zionist parties, including the Likud without Bibi."

No coalition agreement has been announced, and discussions continue among partners united by the goal of replacing the prime minister but divided on the methods for assembling a majority. The partial, unverified results show Netanyahu's bloc with 53 seats, the opposition with 48, and Arab parties with 19.