Eisenkot invites Netanyahu allies to join emergency government, sets four conditions for coalition

• Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot called on Likud and Religious Zionism lawmakers to join a national emergency government under his leadership.
• Eisenkot said ‘Israel’ could not afford another round of elections, arguing that the country's political and security challenges required urgent action.
• He cited 74 Knesset members who, according to him, no longer have confidence in the outgoing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot called on lawmakers from Likud and the Religious Zionism Party to join a national emergency government under his leadership, arguing that ‘Israel’ cannot afford another round of elections amid mounting political and security challenges. 

Speaking on Sunday after ‘Israeli’ President Isaac Herzog formally tasked him with forming the next government, Eisenkot urged rival factions to put aside political differences, citing the loss of confidence in Benjamin Netanyahu's outgoing government among 74 members of the Knesset.

"If the members of Likud and Religious Zionism truly believe that this is a time for unity, as they told the president, I cannot imagine any reason why they would not come and support a government under my leadership and the principles I have presented," Eisenkot said.

He described forming an emergency government as an urgent priority, warning that ‘Israel’ had "no luxury of wasting time or returning to endless rounds of elections."

Eisenkot pointed to the 74 lawmakers who, he said, no longer had confidence in the outgoing government and Netanyahu's leadership, describing their position as "the voice of the public" and "the decision of the people."

He called on all Knesset factions and elected representatives to support his efforts, saying his door remained open to anyone who recognized the seriousness of the situation and was prepared to take what he described as a courageous step for the country.

As part of his proposed framework, Eisenkot outlined four principles that potential coalition partners would have to accept:

1. Recognition of ‘Israel’ as a Jewish and democratic state.
2. Acceptance of the values of ‘Israel's’ Declaration of Independence.
3. An obligation of service for everyone through military, national or civilian service, aimed at strengthening the ‘Israeli’ military and expanding its ranks.
4. Recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization and a commitment to dismantling its military and governing capabilities.

Eisenkot also issued a warning to political factions against obstructing the formation of a new government for personal or political considerations.

"Anyone who tries to sabotage the formation of the government for personal rather than substantive reasons will be remembered in history as someone who failed to save Israel in a time of emergency," he said, adding that the public was looking to its elected representatives and that the current moment was a test of leadership.

His appeal comes as ‘Israel’ enters a new phase of political uncertainty following the elections, with the formation of a governing coalition remaining unresolved. Although Herzog has given Eisenkot the mandate to form a government, the decision does not mean Netanyahu has permanently left office or that a new coalition has been secured.

Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a governing coalition, with the possibility of requesting an extension under ‘Israel's’ government-formation process.

Read more: Eisenkot pushes for emergency government, says Netanyahu lacks Knesset majority