In brief
Eisenkot said he intends to craft the broadest government possible, arguing that a parliamentary majority was achieved through the election results and the support of 19 seats held by Arab parties. He outlined the government's agenda: a state commission to investigate the Oct. 7 attack, compulsory service for all Israelis and the repeal of Netanyahu‑backed judicial reforms. Eisenkot emphasized that parliament provides confidence to the government, not vice‑versa.
Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot announced on Saturday that he plans to form the broadest possible government, claiming he has a parliamentary majority thanks to the results of Tuesday’s election and the back‑up of Arab parties.
Eisenkot’s bloc won 48 seats in the 120‑member Knesset, compared with 53 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. He said that more than half a million voters voted against Netanyahu’s government, a figure that includes the 19 seats held by the Joint List and the Muslim Ra’am party.
He outlined three key policy priorities for a prospective government: the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack, mandatory service for all Israelis, and the repeal of judicial overhaul legislation promoted by Netanyahu’s administration. According to Eisenkot, he would not necessarily need to form a government to advance these measures; instead, he could call on the parliament to mobilize a majority that includes the Arab parties.
"Let no one mislead: In Israel, it is the parliament that gives its confidence to the government, not the other way around," Eisenkot wrote in a social‑media post.
