Gadi Eisenkot Secures 67 Knesset Votes to Replace Netanyahu
Gadi Eisenkot secured a 67-seat majority in the Knesset to form a national emergency government, displacing Benjamin Netanyahu following post-election consultations.
Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot secured 67 endorsements in the 120-seat Knesset, surpassing the majority required to form a national emergency government. The support follows post-election consultations with President Isaac Herzog and includes the Jewish-led opposition bloc, the Ra'am party, and the Arab-led Joint List. While the Joint List intends to support the government from the outside, the coalition aims to replace outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Benjamin Netanyahu saw his support drop to 46 seats after the United Torah Judaism party abstained due to disputes over military service exemptions for yeshiva students. Eisenkot has proposed a four-point plan for the new government based on recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accepting the Declaration of Independence, implementing mandatory service for all citizens, and committing to the dismantlement of Hamas.
Eisenkot characterized the current political climate as a "dangerous state of emergency" and criticized the sustainability of a caretaker government led by Netanyahu. President Herzog is expected to formally task Eisenkot with forming the government following the clear shift in Knesset support.
