29.10.2026 11:53
As coalition talks continue following the elections in Israel, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot argued that there is no trust left in the Netanyahu government and announced that they aim to form a "Zionist military government." Eisenkot's remark was interpreted as meaning he would not cooperate with the Arab parties expected to win 19 seats in parliament. The fact that no bloc alone reached a majority to form a government increased political uncertainty in the country.
After the Knesset elections in Israel, political parties focused on calculations for forming a government. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot evaluated the election results in a statement on his X account after about 90 percent of the votes had been counted.
Arguing that the Israeli public did not trust the Netanyahu government that was in office on October 7, 2023, Eisenkot said, "We are leaving behind a long day of meetings, consultations, and preparations to realize the will of the voters."
"WE WILL FORM A ZIONIST MILITARY SERVICE GOVERNMENT" Stating that a long period of work lay ahead of them, Eisenkot explained his goal of forming a government with these words:
"We are focusing on a heavy responsibility such as bringing about change in Israel and forming a Zionist military service government."
Eisenkot asserted that the government he aimed to form would reflect the will of the voters.
"THE PEOPLE SHOWED THEY DO NOT TRUST THOSE WHO AVOID MILITARY SERVICE" Evaluating the election results as a message of no confidence in the Netanyahu government, Eisenkot also touched on debates over exemption from military service.
"The people showed that they do not trust the October 7 government and those who avoid military service. The political bloc formed by those who generally avoid military service is at its lowest level in the last 20 years," he said.
These remarks by Eisenkot came at a time when debates over the military service obligation of particularly ultra-Orthodox Jews continue in Israel.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot WILL HE NOT COOPERATE WITH ARAB PARTIES? Eisenkot's choice of the phrase "Zionist military service government" increased questions about a possible coalition with Arab parties, which are projected to win 19 seats in the elections.
The statement was interpreted as indicating that Eisenkot might keep Arab parties outside a government partnership. However, the opposition leader did not explicitly reject cooperation with Arab parties in that post.
The fact that no political bloc won the 61 seats needed to form a government on its own in the elections made coalition options critical.
"WE MADE HISTORY THANKS TO YOU" Thanking the voters who supported him, Eisenkot argued that the party they had newly founded had quickly become a strong political alternative.
"I feel the weight of the trust that hundreds of thousands of women and men who believe in Israel and Zionism have placed in me, and the responsibility this brings," Eisenkot said, continuing:
"Thanks to you, we made history. In just one year, we founded a new party in Israel that brings Israelis together. This party constitutes a responsible alternative worthy of power. For you and for your benefit, we will fulfill the great task ahead. We will work and we will succeed. I promise this."
ELECTION TURNOUT AT 27-YEAR HIGH Israel's Central Elections Committee announced that turnout in the parliamentary elections was 77.7 percent.
This rate points to an increase of 7.1 points compared with the 2022 elections and was announced as the highest turnout recorded since 1999.
After the vote count is completed, the final seat distribution and possible coalition options are expected to become clear.