Eisenkot Claims 67 Seats for Emergency Government Against Netanyahu

Gadi Eisenkot says the opposition coalition commands the support of 67 members of the Knesset, a number that exceeds the 61-seat threshold required to form a government.

The leader of the Yashar party made the claim in a video statement on Tuesday. He said his bloc would move fast to create a national emergency government once the new Knesset is sworn in next week.

The latest election results left the Israeli political system in a stalemate. Netanyahu’s side secured 53 seats, while the opposition bloc won 48. The gap between the two groups is too wide for either to rule alone. However, Eisenkot argued that the 19 recommendations from Arab parties, when added to the 48 opposition seats, give his side the necessary majority.

President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to begin formal consultations with Knesset factions on Wednesday. By law, the president must speak with these groups before deciding which leader receives the mandate to build a cabinet. Eisenkot and other opposition figures, including Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, and Yair Golan, have agreed to recommend Eisenkot for that first attempt.

Eisenkot described Netanyahu as a caretaker prime minister who currently holds the support of only 46 lawmakers. He accused the Likud leader of trying to undermine the official election results because of the opposition’s determination to take power.

The new government aims to pass specific legislation and repeal laws that Eisenkot says threaten democracy. A key part of this plan involves replacing the current Knesset speaker, Amir Ohana, who is a Likud member. Changing the speaker would shift control of the parliamentary agenda, including votes and committee appointments, away from Netanyahu’s side even if he remains in a caretaker role.

Eisenkot stated that the opposition leaders held a productive meeting on Tuesday and are prepared for the coming days of political maneuvering.