Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Netanyahu calls for unity as Eisenkot tries to form Israel's next government
Netanyahu's coalition lost its Knesset majority in Israel's October election, and President Isaac Herzog asked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to try to form a government.
At a ceremony for the new Knesset on Tuesday, Netanyahu called for national unity and urged opposition leaders to join a government under his leadership.
But he also attacked Arab parties Ra’am and the Joint List, calling their members supporters of terrorism and enemies of Israel.
The dispute matters because forming a government requires support from a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, and Arab parties could help Eisenkot secure it.
Netanyahu's proposed unity government would also include ultra-Orthodox parties and his far-right allies, while Eisenkot is negotiating with parties that could support his alternative.
The government talks will decide who leads Israel next, and a change of leadership would reduce Netanyahu's political influence as he faces corruption charges in court.
President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with trying to form a government after the opposition bloc edged out Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition in October’s election.
Netanyahu urged national unity but called for a government under his own leadership that included his allies and the opposition.
He warned that a government relying on Arab parties could put Israel at risk, while describing the parties as hostile to the state.
Eisenkot’s negotiations were reported to include talks with the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party.
A former aide to Netanyahu said Eisenkot could have the support of 67 members in the 120-seat Knesset if United Torah Judaism joined him.
- Who
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot, who was tasked with trying to form a government.
- What
- Netanyahu called for a unified government under his leadership as Eisenkot worked to assemble a government to replace Netanyahu’s coalition.
- When
- In the days after the October election, including the week the new Knesset was sworn in on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- Netanyahu sought to reinforce his bloc, while Eisenkot was trying to secure enough Knesset support to form a government.
Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies
Gadi Eisenkot and the opposition bloc
Government formation
Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies
Netanyahu called for a unified government under his leadership, including the ultra-Orthodox parties and his far-right allies.
Gadi Eisenkot and the opposition bloc
Eisenkot was trying to build a government to replace Netanyahu’s coalition, with reports that United Torah Judaism might support him.
Arab parties
Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies
Netanyahu accused the Arab parties of wanting to eliminate Israel and said a government relying on them could pose an existential danger.
Gadi Eisenkot and the opposition bloc
Eisenkot’s opposition bloc might seek support from Ra’am and the Joint List to form a government.
The opposition bloc edged out Netanyahu’s ruling coalition in Israel’s election.
President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government capable of commanding the Knesset.
Netanyahu posted another video calling on opposition leaders to join a unified government under his leadership.
New Knesset members were sworn in, and Netanyahu called for national unity in an address.
- Knesset size
- 120 seats
- Potential Eisenkot support
- 67 seats, if United Torah Judaism joined him, according to pollster Mitchell Barak
- Election
- October 2026
- Knesset swearing-in event
- November 10, 2026
- Arab parties named
- Ra’am and the Joint List
3 sources
What people are saying
eliminate the State of Israel
When it’s in his interest, Arab citizens become legitimate and he becomes ‘Abu Yair,’
But he’s negotiating from a weakened position. With the UTJ, Eisenkot’s got 67 seats,
It’s all a game at the moment. It’s leverage, it’s one-upmanship, it’s psyops, it’s spin, it’s counter-spin,