Former Israeli Army chief Gadi Eisencot has declared that he will work on the quick formation of a broad government, but his path to power remains uncertain, as October 27th elections failed to bring out a parliamentary majority winner, nor to push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyyahu from power.
Israeli President Isaac Herzeg on Saturday gave Eisenkot the first opportunity to form the new government, as neither of the two rivals managed to secure the necessary majority to govern.
On Sunday, Herzeg officially handed the mandate to Eisenkot during a meeting at the presidential residence, beginning the deadline for negotiations that Eisencot himself described as an extremely complex process.
We are in a state of emergency and approaching the point of no return to the state of Israel. We must form a national emergency government. This will require creative and nonconventional political steps, Eisencot said.
He said Israeli democracy is undergoing a fragile moment as the country faces major challenges, including the threat of an Iranian attack, the need for progress towards peace in Gaza and negotiations with Lebanon and other neighbouring countries.
There is a great urgency for new leadership, guidance that people can look into and trust, he said.
Eisenkot faces several possibilities for securing the parliamentary majority. One is forming a minority government with the support of Arab parties on specific issues, while another is the establishment of a coalition with ultraorthodox parties, with which he and his allies have avoided co-operation in the past.
Another option is to form a government of unity with Netanyah. However, all three options face major political obstacles.
Eisenkot said he would call on all parties to join him if they comply with his key principles. Among these are Israel’s recognition as a Jewish and democratic state, compulsory national service for all citizens, aimed at strengthening and expanding the military, as well as recognising Hamas as a terrorist organisation and pledging to destroy its military and governing capacities.
I am convinced that it is possible and right to form a new government soon, which will have the support of a large majority in Knessetão, he declared, referring to the Israeli parliament.
Eisencott has 28 days to form the government, with the possibility of extending the deadline for another 14 days. If it fails, the possibility of forming government can pass Netanyah. If it fails to secure the majority, new elections can be announced.
President Herzeg said that, after consultations with all parties, Eisenkoti had received clear support from most MPs as the most likely candidate to form the next government.
In the October 27th election, Netanyah’s Likud party won mostly seats as the only party — a total of 27 out of 120 seats in Knesset. However, his religious-nationalist coalition secured only 53 seats — five short of the needed 61 MPs.
Meanwhile, Eisenkot’s Yasar party came in second with 21 seats. His coalition, comprised of four centre-left and right Jewish parties, secured a total of 48 seats. The two parties representing the Arab minority in Israel jointly won 19 seats — an unprecedented result.
Source Layer: Dukeagini