Israel's New Parliament Convenes as Leaders Battle to Form Coalition
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with building a government after a fragmented election, facing significant hurdles from ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties.
By Hiroshi Ferrari ·
Israel's new parliament is set to be sworn in on Tuesday, marking the start of a critical period as political leaders compete to form a stable government. The centrist opposition leader, Gadi Eisenkot, has been given the mandate to attempt to build a coalition by President Isaac Herzog. This follows Eisenkot's former role as army chief and his recent receipt of backing from 67 members of the 120-seat Knesset, compared to 46 for caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite receiving the initial mandate, Eisenkot faces a challenging path forward. His bloc of four parties secured 48 seats in last month's election, while Netanyahu's bloc won 53. Neither side holds an outright majority, leaving both short of the necessary numbers to govern alone. Eisenkot has 28 days to construct a viable coalition, with the possibility of a two-week extension if negotiations drag on.
The incoming parliament features significant demographic shifts. Almost half of the members of the Knesset were not part of the previous legislature. Additionally, Arab-led parties have achieved a record number of seats, a result driven by a surge in voter turnout among Arab citizens. The United Arab List and the Joint List combined to win 19 seats, an unprecedented figure that positions these parties as potential kingmakers in the upcoming negotiations.
President Herzog formally tasked Eisenkot with forming the government on Sunday. In his address at the presidential residence, Eisenkot called for a national emergency government, urging parties to set aside ideological differences to remove Netanyahu from office. He stated that this effort would require creative and unconventional political steps to succeed.
Eisenkot outlined four core principles for any party wishing to join his proposed government. These include recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accepting the values of the Declaration of Independence, supporting mandatory service for all citizens including currently exempt communities, and recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization. While these goals aim to unify the opposition, they present significant obstacles for potential partners.
The issue of mandatory military service is particularly contentious. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism and Shas parties, which together hold 13 seats, have fiercely opposed changing the current status quo that exempts men in full-time religious study. All parties in Eisenkot's bloc campaigned on this change, making it a difficult point of compromise. In return for their support, the ultra-Orthodox parties are likely to demand major concessions on conscription laws.
The Arab parties also face friction with Eisenkot's four principles. Both major Arab alliances emphasize equal civic and national rights for Arab citizens, who make up about 20% of the population. Most Israeli Arabs are not required to serve in the military, and neither party has publicly recognized Hamas as a terrorist organization. Nevertheless, the United Arab List has expressed willingness to join a coalition, while the Joint List has offered to support the government from outside the cabinet.
Internal disagreements within Eisenkot's own bloc could also complicate efforts. Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beiteinu party won seven seats, has so far refused to join a minority government that relies heavily on Arab members of the Knesset. This reluctance highlights the delicate balance Eisenkot must strike between his bloc's different factions and external partners.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, remains caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed. In a video message on Monday, he reiterated his call for a government of national unity led by himself. He argued that any Zionist party, including opposition groups, should be eligible to participate. Netanyahu warned against relying on what he termed the Islamists, stating that one cannot form a government with supporters of Hamas.
The outcome of the election, widely viewed as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership, has created a period of uncertainty. The process of forming the next government could take anywhere from days to months, leaving the country in a state of political limbo as negotiations continue.
