Netanyahu Out? President Hands Govt Mandate to Gadi Eisenkot
President Isaac Herzog gives Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a new government as the Change Bloc aims to replace Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a pivotal shift for Israeli politics, President Isaac Herzog is set to formally hand over the mandate to form the next government to Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar Party, this Sunday. This move marks a critical step in the effort to establish a "government of change" and potentially end the tenure of Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Race for Power: The Change Bloc’s Strategy
The political landscape is shifting rapidly as the Change Bloc prepares for the swearing-in of new Knesset members on Tuesday. Reports indicate that the bloc's leaders are currently finalizing an agreement on who will serve as the new Speaker of the Knesset.
Crucial support is emerging from unexpected quarters. According to Haaretz, the Arab party Ra’am, which holds eight seats, is expected to support a government led by Eisenkot. While the other Arab party, the Joint List, is unlikely to vote in favor of Eisenkot, they are expected to abstain rather than actively work to topple the Change Bloc.
A National Emergency Mandate
Gadi Eisenkot, a retired military chief who led the centrist Yashar bloc during the elections, has expressed a sense of urgency regarding the current state of the nation. Following his meeting with President Herzog, Eisenkot stated:
"Now is the time to form a national emergency government. I will do everything to ensure we are worthy."
Eisenkot now enters a statutory window of up to six weeks to negotiate with potential allies and secure a viable majority to officially replace Netanyahu in the Prime Minister's office.
The Clash with Netanyahu
The transition is not without intense friction. Yair Golan, a key partner in the Change Bloc, has launched a scathing attack on the incumbent Prime Minister, accusing him of attempting to delegitimize the election process out of fear.
Golan described Netanyahu's recent calls for unity as "political panic" and a "survival attempt," claiming that the Prime Minister realizes his rule is coming to an end. Golan vowed that the new government would focus on several key priorities:
- Dismantling the rule of Hamas.
- Restoring security for Israeli citizens.
- Strengthening the nation's democracy.
- Investigating what he termed the "worst disaster in the country’s history."
- Repairing the damage allegedly caused by Netanyahu's leadership.
The Numbers Game: Who Holds the Cards?
The mathematical battle for the Knesset shows a significant lead for the opposition. The endorsements for Gadi Eisenkot currently total 67 seats, consisting of:
- Jewish-led opposition bloc: 48 seats (comprising Yashar, Together, The Democrats, and Yisrael Beiteinu).
- Ra'am party: 8 seats.
- Joint List: 11 seats.
In contrast, Benjamin Netanyahu’s support has dwindled to 46 seats. While his right-wing bloc originally tallied 53 seats, the UTJ has withheld its endorsement with abstentions (7 seats), leaving the incumbent in a precarious position as the Change Bloc moves to seize control.