Netanyahu rivals agree on key Knesset posts as Israel's political deadlock continues

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political opponents have reached an agreement on key parliamentary appointments as former military chief Gadi Eisenkot intensifies efforts to form a new government following an inconclusive general election.

Eisenkot announced on Tuesday that he had reached an understanding with four Opposition leaders — Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman and Yair Lapid — on candidates for important positions in Israel's 26th Knesset.

The agreement represents an initial step towards coordinating the Opposition's parliamentary strategy, although significant disagreements remain over the formation of a governing coalition.

Former minister Matan Kahana, a member of Eisenkot's Yashar party, has been nominated for the position of Knesset Speaker.

Eisenkot said the leaders had agreed on candidates for key parliamentary positions during the period allocated for forming a government.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱

Under the agreement, Roy Folkman has been proposed as chairman of the House Committee, while former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has been nominated to lead the influential Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.

Liran Avisar Ben-Horrin has been named as the candidate to chair the Finance Committee.

The Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee plays a significant role in overseeing Israel's security policies and military-related legislation, making the proposed appointment of Lieberman politically important.

Eisenkot said the composition of the parliamentary committees would be discussed and finalised during the week before being submitted to the Knesset for approval.

The Opposition leaders have also agreed in principle to establish special parliamentary committees, with details to be announced separately.

Lapid confirmed that he had met Eisenkot to discuss coordination in the new parliament and their shared objective of establishing a national emergency government.

𝗘𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗹𝗲

Israeli President Isaac Herzog entrusted Eisenkot with the task of forming the next government on November 8 after the October 27 election failed to produce a clear parliamentary majority.

During consultations with the president, lawmakers representing 67 seats recommended Eisenkot for prime minister, while those holding 46 seats backed Netanyahu. Representatives of the remaining seven seats did not recommend either candidate.

However, the recommendations do not automatically translate into support for a governing coalition.

Eisenkot's four-party Opposition alliance holds 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset, leaving it 13 short of the 61 required to secure a majority.

His Yashar party emerged as the second-largest parliamentary group with 21 seats, while Netanyahu's Likud remained the largest single party with 27.

Netanyahu's wider religious-nationalist bloc commands 53 seats, also falling short of a majority.

Under Israeli law, Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a government, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.

If he fails to secure sufficient support, the political deadlock could continue, potentially giving Netanyahu another opportunity to form a coalition.

𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝘆

One of the biggest challenges facing Eisenkot is securing support from parties outside his existing alliance.

Two Arab-led parties, which together secured a record 19 seats, recommended Eisenkot during the presidential consultations.

Their support could prove decisive in helping him reach the parliamentary majority required to form a government.

However, cooperation with Arab parties remains contentious among some of Eisenkot's prospective coalition partners.

Lieberman has opposed forming a government dependent on Arab party support, complicating efforts to unite the anti-Netanyahu camp.

Another possibility involves attracting lawmakers or parties currently aligned with Netanyahu, although such an arrangement would require substantial political compromises.

Eisenkot has acknowledged the difficulties and called for flexibility among political leaders.

"We must form a national emergency government. This will require creative and unconventional political steps," he said on November 8.

𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗵𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲

Netanyahu continues to serve as caretaker prime minister while efforts to form a new government proceed.

Although his Likud party won the largest number of seats, the broader alliance supporting him failed to secure the majority necessary to remain in power without additional partners.

The agreement on parliamentary appointments gives Eisenkot's prospective coalition partners an opportunity to demonstrate cooperation before tackling the more difficult negotiations over government formation.

However, the distribution of Knesset positions does not guarantee that the parties will agree on a common governing programme or overcome their differences over potential coalition partners.

With the deadline for forming a government approaching, Eisenkot faces the challenge of converting parliamentary recommendations into a workable majority capable of ending Israel's political stalemate.