Israel's political shake-up enters new phase as former PM plays kingmaker — and deadline looms
FORMER ISRAELI ARMY CHIEF GADI EISENKOT EMERGES AS NETANYAHU’S LEADING ELECTION CHALLENGER Netanyahu, however, continued advocating for a unity government on Wednesday, arguing that Israel's security challenges demanded cooperation across political divisions, according to The Times of Israel.
Key points
- Israel's newly elected parliament was sworn in Tuesday, marking the beginning of a political transition that could end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long tenure in power.
- During Tuesday's swearing-in of the new Knesset, Netanyahu called for a national unity government, citing Israel's security challenges, but also sharply attacked the Arab parties, accusing them of supporting terrorism and warning against forming a government dependent on their votes.
- NETANYAHU FACES COALITION SHOWDOWN AS RIVALS MANEUVER TO FORM ISRAEL'S NEXT GOVERNMENT The two parties have not merged, but their cooperation effectively gives Eisenkot the negotiating backing of 33 lawmakers — more than Netanyahu's Likud, which remains the largest individual party in the Knesset with 27 seats.
Additional details
- FORMER ISRAELI PM EMERGES AS WILD CARD IN HIGH-STAKES ELECTION WITH MIDDLE EAST'S FUTURE AT STAKE "What about your Qatari advisors?" Bennett shouted, referring to the investigation into allegations that members of Netanyahu's inner circle had financial ties to Qatar while working for the prime minister.
- Bennett, normally an outspoken political figure who has largely avoided the spotlight during the coalition negotiations, broke his relative silence to repeatedly confront Netanyahu during the speech.
- 27 election, he is working closely with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, whose B'Yachad party, formed with former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, secured another 12 seats.
- "I am now even more convinced that he is unfit to remain in office for even one more minute." Eisenkot subsequently instructed his negotiating team to cancel a meeting scheduled with Likud representatives for Wednesday.
- In a separate statement, Yashar said the canceled meeting had been intended to explore coalition possibilities based on Eisenkot's four governing principles, but Netanyahu's speech made the planned discussions untenable.
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