Eisenkot to seek emergency mandate after election deadlock

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, announced on Tuesday that his opposition bloc will move swiftly to establish a national emergency government. The move follows the recent election results, which produced a political stalemate where neither camp secured the 61-seat majority required to govern alone. Eisenkot stated that the new coalition intends to repeal specific laws it deems threatening to democracy and elect a new speaker for the Knesset.

The Yashar party leader issued a video statement ahead of formal consultations scheduled to begin Wednesday at the President's Residence. Under Israeli law, President Isaac Herzog must consult with all Knesset factions before assigning the mandate to form a government. Eisenkot outlined two primary objectives for the coming days: forming the emergency cabinet and passing urgent legislation.

Parliamentary numbers indicate a potential path for Eisenkot. Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats in the next Knesset. The opposition bloc won 48 seats. If Eisenkot incorporates the 19 recommendations from Arab parties, he commands the support of 67 members of Knesset. This total exceeds the 61-seat threshold, potentially positioning him to receive the first mandate over the incumbent prime minister.

Eisenkot characterized Netanyahu's current position as weak, describing him as a caretaker prime minister backed by only 46 members of Knesset. He accused Likud of undermining the official election results to cast doubt on the opposition's strength. Eisenkot noted that the opposition leaders had met on Tuesday and reached a consensus to recommend him for the initial government formation mandate.

Naftali Bennett of B'Yachad, Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beytenu, and Yair Golan of the Democrats joined Eisenkot in this recommendation. Eisenkot described the Tuesday meeting as effective, stating that the coalition is coordinated and prepared for the political maneuvering expected in the coming days. He warned that the change movement is determined despite what he called false briefings from the opposition side.

A key procedural goal for the new leadership is the replacement of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a Likud member. Swapping the speaker would grant the opposition bloc greater control over the parliamentary agenda. This control includes influence over voting schedules, legislative processes, and committee appointments. Such structural changes would allow the new leadership to function effectively even if Netanyahu remains in office as the head of a caretaker government during the transition.