Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly not ruled out a coalition with opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, despite publicly rejecting the idea of forming a unity government. The possibility comes as Israel faces political uncertainty following its October 27 parliamentary election, which left Netanyahu’s bloc short of a majority in the 120-member Knesset.
Sources close to Netanyahu’s Likud party told Israeli media that the prime minister was keeping his options open and that his allies were examining every possible arrangement.
According to the report, Netanyahu is concerned that Eisenkot could join forces with Arab-led parties and ultra-Orthodox factions to form an alternative coalition that could remove him from power.
Netanyahu’s Bloc Falls to 53 Seats
Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats, down from 68 in the outgoing parliament. The opposition bloc led by Eisenkot won 48 seats, while Arab-led parties secured the remaining 19.
The opposition and Arab-led parties together have enough seats to form a government, although reaching a common coalition agreement remains uncertain.
Netanyahu has described the possibility of Eisenkot joining hands with Arab parties as treason, drawing criticism from political opponents. Protesters have also gathered outside Eisenkot’s home, opposing a coalition involving Arab-led parties, while other demonstrations have supported a Jewish-Arab alliance.
Election Allegations Add to Political Uncertainty
The coalition discussions are unfolding alongside a dispute over the election process. Likud has questioned the conduct of the polls, citing suspected attempts to bribe voters, but has not presented evidence that the alleged incidents affected the overall result.
Several activists and suspects have been arrested in connection with the allegations. The Islamist Ra’am party has denied involvement in the suspected activities.
Israel’s Shin Bet is also investigating allegations of possible foreign interference. However, Election Committee chief Noam Sohlberg said that even if the suspicions were substantiated, they would not undermine the integrity of the electoral process or the overall results.
Eisenkot has accused Netanyahu of attempting to delegitimise the election outcome. Qatar has denied allegations that it funded activities intended to influence the vote.
Herzog to Begin Coalition Consultations
The election results are expected to be officially certified this week. President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to begin consultations with elected parties on Wednesday before deciding which candidate should be tasked with forming the next government.
The designated candidate will need to negotiate with other parties to secure a parliamentary majority. If the negotiations fail, Herzog may invite another candidate to attempt government formation. Fresh elections remain a possibility if no coalition can be formed.
Official Link: Office of the President of Israel
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