15.11.2026 17:40
In Israel, after the October 27 elections, the team of Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party, who was tasked with forming the government, is meeting with Netanyahu’s Likud Party today. According to the Israeli press, Eisenkot will propose to Likud a unity government that does not include a rotating premiership. It is claimed that a formula under which Netanyahu would be given a special role in the government without being made prime minister is also being discussed.
After the elections in Israel, in which no bloc won a majority, negotiations to form a government are continuing. Acting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for an “unconditional” unity government was described by Eisenkot as a “perception operation.”
NETANYAHU CALLS FOR “UNCONDITIONAL” MEETING
In a video message released on Saturday, Netanyahu called on Eisenkot to meet without preconditions for a national unity government. Netanyahu, who said his meeting with Eisenkot on Thursday strengthened his belief in the necessity of forming a national unity government, argued that such a government is essential for Israel’s security. Finance Minister and Religious Zionism Party leader Bezalel Smotrich also supported Netanyahu’s call.
EISENKOT: THESE TRICKS WON’T WORK ON ME
Eisenkot described the call as “a new perception operation” and said, “Nice try, but these tricks won’t work on me.” Arguing that Netanyahu was calling for unity while at the same time dividing and inciting society, Eisenkot recalled that meetings between negotiating teams with Likud were already planned.
Eisenkot stated that Likud could join a “national emergency government” to be formed under his leadership only if it accepts the principles he has set and distances itself from extreme political forces.
THE ALLEGED FORMULA
According to a report by Channel 13, the Yashar Party will propose to Likud a unity government that does not include a rotating premiership and would be formed under Eisenkot’s leadership. The Times of Israel, meanwhile, wrote that a framework is being sought that would allow Netanyahu to deal with political issues within the government. According to the newspaper, arrangements regarding accommodation, security, and other personal needs may also be offered.
According to Haaretz, Netanyahu’s circle believes that a new election would not give the Netanyahu bloc a majority. Therefore, the option of a unity government rather than an early election is on the agenda. According to sources, this option depends on not demanding the first slot in a rotating premiership. It was noteworthy that in his latest call, Netanyahu did not put forward the condition, as he had before, that the premiership be given to him.
NEGOTIATING TEAMS MEET TODAY
According to the Israeli press, the negotiating teams of the two parties will meet today at 16:00 at a hotel in Herzliya. The Eisenkot camp’s starting condition is that Likud recognize the election results and join a government led by Eisenkot for 4 years. Eisenkot refuses to discuss a rotating premiership with Netanyahu or an arrangement in which he would not lead the government.
NO BLOC REACHED A MAJORITY
According to the election results held on October 27 and finalized on November 4, Likud became the largest party with 27 seats, and Yashar the second-largest with 21 seats. The parties in the Netanyahu bloc won 53 seats, the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot won 48, and the Arab parties won 19. No bloc reached the 61 seats needed to form a government in the 120-seat Knesset.
GOVERNMENT HAS UNTIL DECEMBER 6
President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot on November 8 with forming the government. Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government that will receive a vote of confidence. This period expires on December 6 and can be extended once by 14 days if necessary.