Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yesh Atid party, has established four specific conditions for any member of the Knesset wishing to join the government he aims to form. Speaking to Yedioth Ahronoth, Eisenkot emphasized that these principles are non-negotiable and apply to all potential coalition partners. The conditions include recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, adhering strictly to the values enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, imposing mandatory military service on all Israeli citizens, and officially designating Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Eisenkot stated his immediate intention to build a clear parliamentary majority following the recent elections. He outlined several key priorities for his proposed administration, including the formation of an official government inquiry committee, strengthening compulsory enlistment for all citizens, increasing the size of the army, and rewarding those who serve. Additionally, he pledged to repeal laws associated with what he termed the “judicial coup.” Asserting that the Knesset grants confidence to the government rather than the reverse, Eisenkot described his goal as forming a broad Zionist coalition. He declined to explicitly exclude any political party from participation, provided they accept the stated principles.
In parallel political developments, Eisenkot met with former Prime Minister and Yair Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party, on Saturday evening. The two discussed election results and coordinated next steps, framing their interaction around a shared commitment to realizing the voters’ will. Meanwhile, Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Israel Beiteinu party, denied reports suggesting he seeks the position of Knesset Speaker. Citing numerous inquiries he had received, Lieberman accused unnamed parties of spreading rumors, firmly stating he has no desire or intention to assume the role.
Concurrently, Eisenkot’s camp is actively working to replace the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, a member of the Likud party, immediately upon the convening of the new parliament. According to the newspaper, the process to remove Ohana has been completed and is expected to be executed during the first session scheduled in approximately two weeks. This strategic move aims to give the camp opposing Benjamin Netanyahu control over the parliamentary agenda, influencing voting procedures and legislation, as well as the selection of committee chairs and members. Achieving this requires building a parliamentary majority around a consensus candidate, potentially utilizing votes from members representing Arab citizens of Israel. Notably, securing the speakership does not require a prior agreement on the formation of the next government, allowing the opposition to gain leverage even if Netanyahu remains head of a caretaker administration.
