Israel: Eisenkot promises a government "as quickly as possible"
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Le Monde and Business Day Nigeria
Israel’s new parliament holds its first session, with the election of its speaker on the agenda, a post currently held by Likud’s Amir Ohana. Gadi Eisenkot, tasked by President Herzog with forming the government, promises to do so "as quickly as possible", according to Le Monde. Several far-right organisations are calling for a demonstration outside the institution.
Tasked on Sunday by President Isaac Herzog with forming the next government, Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff and leader of the centrist Yashar party, won the backing of 67 of the 120 members of the Knesset, against 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu. His path remains uncertain: his bloc of four parties won 48 seats in last month’s elections, against 53 for Netanyahu’s bloc, and neither camp reaches the majority of 61. Eisenkot has 28 days to put together a coalition, with a possible two-week extension. Netanyahu remains in office to handle day-to-day affairs.
The Arab parties could play a decisive role. The United Arab List (8 seats) and the Joint List (11 seats) total 19 seats, their best result. The former says it is ready to join a coalition led by Eisenkot; the latter proposes outside support. Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu, 7 seats), however, refuses to join a minority government dependent on Arab members of parliament.
Eisenkot is calling for a "government of national emergency" and sets four conditions: recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, adherence to the values of the Declaration of Independence, compulsory military, national or civilian service for all, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. These conditions complicate talks with the ultra-Orthodox parties (United Torah Judaism and Shas, 13 seats in total) as well as with the Arab parties.
Netanyahu continues to argue for a national unity government under his leadership. In a video on Monday, he said that one cannot "form a government with supporters of Hamas". Nearly half of the members of parliament have never sat before.
