Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has taken a significant step toward forming Israel’s next government by securing an agreement with four fellow opposition leaders on key Knesset positions. The coalition building efforts come after Eisenkot received an official mandate from President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, supported by recommendations from lawmakers representing 67 seats.
As part of the pact, the opposition leaders have nominated former minister Matan Kahana as their candidate for Speaker of the Knesset. Additionally, Avigdor Liberman is slated to lead the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, while Liran Avisar Ben Horin of the B'Yachad party has been nominated to chair the Finance Committee. Roy Folkman is designated to head the House Committee.
The political maneuvering has reportedly triggered deep anxiety within the Prime Minister's Office. Nir Hefetz, a former adviser to Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed in an interview with 103FM that the Prime Minister is in a state of "panic" over the potential loss of power. Hefetz alleged that Netanyahu's decision-making is currently influenced by intense pressure from his family and close associates.
Hefetz suggested that Netanyahu’s recent call for a national unity government may be a strategic attempt to stall Eisenkot’s momentum. While Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member legislature compared to 48 for the Zionist opposition, the support of the 13 seats held by ultra-Orthodox parties remains a critical factor in the ongoing negotiations.
Key facts
- Gadi Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a potential two-week extension.
- The opposition bloc, including Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan, Avigdor Liberman, and Yair Lapid, reached the agreement on Knesset posts.
- Netanyahu’s coalition holds 53 seats, while the Zionist opposition holds 48 and Arab-led parties hold 19.
- Liran Avisar Ben Horin would become the first woman to chair the Finance Committee if confirmed.
Why it matters
The formation of a new government remains uncertain as the ultra-Orthodox parties have yet to commit to a coalition, potentially holding the deciding votes. Eisenkot's success in navigating these negotiations will determine if he can successfully displace Netanyahu, whose political survival is currently seen as a focal point of the legislative activity.
Source: Times of India
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