Following an election cycle that resulted in a parliamentary deadlock, Israel’s opposition leaders have announced their unified support for former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to serve as the nation’s next prime minister. The decision, finalized during a meeting in the city of Herzliya on Tuesday, marks the first time the opposition bloc has coordinated their efforts since the October 27 polls, which saw neither the incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu nor the opposition secure the necessary 61-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset.
The meeting included high-profile political figures, such as former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman, the Democrats’ Yair Golan, and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid. In a formal statement released following the talks, the party heads declared their intention to recommend Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, to President Isaac Herzog. They emphasized a collective urgency to replace the current administration, which they referred to as the “Oct. 7 government,” with a “national emergency government” as quickly as possible.
Despite the agreement on a leadership candidate, the opposition remains deeply divided over the inclusion of Arab-led parties in their coalition. This issue remains a critical hurdle, as Arab parties hold 19 seats in the new parliament. While Yair Golan has openly advocated for an alliance with these groups to oust the current government, others, including Avigdor Liberman, have historically opposed such partnerships. Eisenkot has introduced four core principles for the government, including a requirement that all member parties recognize Israel as a Jewish state and label Hamas a terrorist group, criteria that could potentially complicate cooperation with some Arab factions.
The electoral arithmetic underscores the precarious nature of the current situation. Netanyahu’s bloc holds 53 seats, while the opposition controls 48. With Arab-led parties—the Joint List and Ra’am—holding 19 seats combined, they effectively act as kingmakers. Yousef Jabareen, head of the largest Arab-led party, has urged the opposition to recognize the “political reality” and join forces to unseat Netanyahu. Conversely, the incumbent prime minister, whose Likud party secured 27 seats, has called for a “broad national government” under his own leadership, while firmly ruling out coalitions with Arab-majority lists.
As the country prepares for the next phase of government formation, President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to hold consultations with various party leaders on Wednesday and Thursday. These discussions are expected to determine who receives the mandate to build a coalition. Eisenkot’s path to the premiership hinges on securing enough support to reach the 61-seat threshold, a feat that would likely require either significant concessions regarding the integration of Arab parties or shifting allegiances within the existing political landscape.
The political maneuvering takes place against a backdrop of ongoing national instability. Netanyahu, 76, currently faces trial on corruption charges and is the subject of international attention regarding allegations of war crimes in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli Arab population, which makes up about 20 percent of the nation's residents, continues to navigate a climate of increased marginalization. The outcome of the upcoming consultations will determine whether the opposition’s plan for an emergency government can materialize or if the country faces further uncertainty.
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