Netanyahu Urges 67-Seat Unity Government as Eisenkot Nears Majority
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Nov 11
Netanyahu Urges 67-Seat Unity Government as Eisenkot Nears Majority
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Nov 11
Summary
President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government after the opposition bloc edged Netanyahu’s coalition in October, putting the prime minister on the defensive before the new Knesset is sworn in Tuesday.
Netanyahu responded with video appeals for a unity government under his leadership, warning Israel risks civil war if a new coalition depends on Arab parties he says seek to eliminate the state.
67 seats is the figure Eisenkot could reach if United Torah Judaism backs him, according to Israeli pollster Mitchell Barak, making the ultra-Orthodox parties central to coalition talks.
Netanyahu’s leverage is also shaped by his corruption trial and by mounting scrutiny over alleged failures before the October 7 attack, with opposition lawmakers pushing for Matan Kahana to advance a state inquiry.
120-seat Knesset negotiations now hinge on whether opposition leaders hold together or Netanyahu can turn security fears into a broader political opening, though analysts say there is little appetite to join him.