Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot on Friday unveiled a four-point plan to establish a national emergency government, expressing confidence that he would receive the presidential mandate to form the next administration after securing the endorsement of 67 lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset.
The Yashar party leader said consultations at the President's Residence had demonstrated that a parliamentary majority supported a change in leadership, while only 46 lawmakers had recommended outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for another term.
Eisenkot said he hoped President Isaac Herzog would formally assign him the task of forming a government early next week, although he acknowledged that negotiations remained challenging.
In a statement shared on X, Eisenkot argued that Israel was facing a serious political and security crisis requiring an immediate transition to a broad-based government.
"The consultations at the President's Residence revealed a clear picture that leaves no room for ambiguity: An absolute majority of Knesset members support change and my tenure as Prime Minister," he said.
He added that 74 lawmakers had not expressed confidence in Netanyahu's continued leadership, describing the caretaker administration's position as increasingly untenable.
๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ธ๐ผ๐'๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐๐ฟ-๐ฝ๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป
Outlining his proposal, Eisenkot said the national emergency government would be built around four principal commitments that prospective coalition partners would be required to accept.
The first principle called for recognising Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, while the second required adherence to the values enshrined in the country's Declaration of Independence.
The third proposed mandatory service for all citizens through military, national or civilian service, with the objective of strengthening the Israel Defence Forces and expanding participation in national responsibilities.
The fourth required recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organisation and a commitment to dismantling its military and political capabilities.
Eisenkot said he intended to approach all parliamentary factions and individual lawmakers willing to endorse these principles, leaving open the possibility of a broader coalition beyond the parties currently supporting his candidature.
He proposed that the government be centred on four principal Zionist opposition parties, while allowing other political groups to participate if they accepted the common programme.
๐ก๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ต๐'๐ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ฒ
Eisenkot's position strengthened after the Arab-led Joint List unanimously recommended him for the premiership, joining other opposition parties in backing his bid to replace Netanyahu.
The 67 recommendations included 48 lawmakers from the Jewish-led opposition bloc comprising Yashar, Together, the Democrats and Yisrael Beiteinu, eight from the Arab Ra'am party and 11 from the Joint List.
Netanyahu's right-wing bloc secured 53 seats in the October 27 election, but his endorsement tally dropped to 46 after the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party declined to recommend any candidate.
UTJ, which holds seven seats, withheld its endorsement amid disagreements over legislation concerning military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox religious students.
The party's position complicated Netanyahu's efforts to secure another term, although it did not amount to a commitment to support Eisenkot.
With 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority, Eisenkot's 67 endorsements placed him above the numerical threshold during presidential consultations.
However, recommendations to the President do not automatically translate into support for a functioning coalition government.
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฏ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐' ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ธ๐
Despite recommending Eisenkot, the Joint List has indicated that it does not intend to formally join his governing coalition because of substantial differences with several Jewish opposition parties.
The party has instead signalled that it could support efforts to replace Netanyahu from outside the government.
This distinction presents a significant challenge for Eisenkot, whose Jewish-led opposition bloc controls only 48 seats and would require additional parliamentary support to establish a stable administration.
The proposed four-point programme could also create disagreements with potential partners, particularly over Israel's national identity, compulsory service and policies concerning Hamas.
Eisenkot nevertheless said he remained committed to assembling a broad coalition capable of providing stable leadership.
๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ธ๐ผ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ธ๐
The former military chief said negotiating teams had spent dozens of hours discussing possible coalition arrangements and had achieved significant progress.
He maintained that the discussions had been conducted discreetly, without relying on public statements or political manoeuvring.
"We have achieved significant progress and even breakthroughsโin quiet and modesty, as much remains hidden as revealed," Eisenkot said.
He also warned political leaders against obstructing the formation of a government for personal reasons, arguing that Israel could not afford prolonged uncertainty while confronting continuing security challenges.
Eisenkot described the country's situation as a national emergency and accused Netanyahu's caretaker administration of undermining democratic institutions. These allegations reflect Eisenkot's political assessment and remain contested.
He said the country required leadership capable of restoring stability and rebuilding public confidence in its institutions.
๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ด ๐๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฆ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐
President Herzog is expected to announce on Sunday which lawmaker will receive the first opportunity to form Israel's next government.
Under Israel's parliamentary system, the President assigns the task to a member of the Knesset considered capable of assembling a governing majority.
The designated lawmaker normally receives 28 days to form a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.
Although Eisenkot has received more recommendations than Netanyahu, Herzog has acknowledged the difficulties created by disagreements and mutual objections among political parties.
Netanyahu will remain caretaker Prime Minister until a new government is sworn in or the political process leads to another election.
Eisenkot said he was determined to pursue the formation of a national emergency government, while recognising that securing presidential authorisation would represent only the first stage of the coalition-building process.