Eisenkot Shakes Israel: Secures 67 Seats for Mandate as Netanyahu’s Bloc Crumbles
Gadi Eisenkot surpasses the majority threshold with 67 endorsements, while Netanyahu's bloc shrinks to 46 seats after UTJ abstains.
In a stunning political upheaval, former defence chief and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot has cleared the parliamentary threshold required to claim the mandate to form Israel's next government. Following critical post-election consultations with President Isaac Herzog, Eisenkot has secured 67 endorsements in the 120-seat Knesset, comfortably surpassing the 61-seat majority needed to lead.
The shift comes as a devastating blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose right-wing endorsement tally has plummeted to just 46 seats. This collapse was triggered by a major fracture in his long-standing alliance, as the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party opted to abstain from the process.
The Numbers: A New Political Landscape
The mathematical advantage now sits firmly with Eisenkot. His 67-seat backing is a diverse coalition of interests, consisting of:
- Jewish-led opposition bloc: 48 seats (including Yashar, Together, The Democrats, and Yisrael Beiteinu).
- Ra'am party: 8 seats.
- Joint List: 11 seats.
In contrast, Benjamin Netanyahu's support has shrunk from his bloc's election tally of 53 seats down to 46, following the decision by the 7-seat UTJ to withhold its endorsement.
The UTJ Betrayal: Why the Alliance Broke
The decision by United Torah Judaism to refrain from endorsing any candidate marks a historic rift. Driven by spiritual directives given to the Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael factions, UTJ leadership expressed deep frustration over Netanyahu's failure to deliver on a key promise: legislation that would enshrine military service exemptions for yeshiva students.
UTJ representatives have been explicit in their communication to President Herzog, stating that their support for any future administration is strictly contingent upon securing these exemptions.
The Joint List: Strategy Over Solidarity
The Arab-led Joint List played a pivotal role in this shift, announcing a unanimous decision to recommend Eisenkot. However, this endorsement is more about removing Netanyahu than it is about a shared vision with the opposition.
The Joint List emphasized that their move was driven by a "public demand to prevent Netanyahu and his government from returning to power." They have been candid about their deep-seated policy disagreements with the Jewish opposition, specifically citing a lack of willingness to fight incitement against Arab citizens.
"Although Eisenkot has received more recommendations than Netanyahu, we believe it is important to widen the gap between them," the Joint List stated, arguing that this move reduces the likelihood of a unity government that could keep Netanyahu in power.
Crucially, the Joint List has clarified that while they support Eisenkot's mandate, they will not formally join his governing coalition, though they may offer support from the outside.
What Happens Next?
With consultations concluding, President Isaac Herzog is expected to formally task Gadi Eisenkot with the first attempt to assemble the government. While the 67 recommendations provide a strong mathematical head start, the path to an operational cabinet remains complex, as not all parties recommending him are committed to joining the coalition.
Amidst this turmoil, some are calling for compromise. Rabbi Moshe Maya, a senior member of Shas's ruling Council of Torah Sages, has urged Eisenkot to consider a rotation government. This proposed arrangement would see Eisenkot join Netanyahu in a coalition that includes Religious Zionism and ultra-Orthodox parties.