Following his task to form a new government, Gadi Eisenkot has stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies have the opportunity to join the new administration—provided that he (Eisenkot) serves as the head of the government.
Referring to Netanyahu’s Likud party and the far-right Religious Zionist Party—led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich—Eisenkot said, “If members of the Likud and the Religious Zionist Party truly believe—as they told the President—that now is the time for unity, then I see no reason why they should not support a government formed under my leadership and based on the policies I have presented.”
Benjamin Netanyahu has served as Israel’s Prime Minister, on and off, for nearly two decades. Since the attacks of October 7, 2023, his government has overseen conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Although support for his party declined in last month’s election, no single faction managed to secure an outright majority.
In a meeting with President Isaac Herzog last week, Eisenkot received recommendations of support from 67 lawmakers across various parties, while Netanyahu received recommendations from 46 lawmakers.
Notably, this tally includes the support of Arab lawmakers in Israel. Due to widespread resentment toward the Netanyahu administration, the number of seats held by Arab representatives reached an all-time high in this election. Far-right leaders within Netanyahu’s government have been accused of taking an overt stance that marginalizes the Arab community.
