Eisenkot Sets Four Rules for Coalition

Gadi Eisenkot announced on Sunday that he will build Israel's next government around four non-negotiable principles. President Isaac Herzog granted Eisenkot up to six weeks to secure 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The former defense minister stated he is forming a national emergency government led by the Yashar Party.

Eisenkot identified four specific parties that will form the core of his coalition. These are the Yashar Party, B'Yachad led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beitenu led by Avigdor Liberman, and the Democrats led by Yair Golan. He invited other factions and individual members to join if they agree to sign onto these four principles.

The first condition requires recognition of the State of Israel as both Jewish and democratic. Eisenkot stated the coalition must be committed to the country's Jewish national identity and its democratic institutions. This stance places the requirement ahead of simple opposition to the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Parties that have pushed to overhaul the judiciary, such as far-right and ultra-Orthodox groups, may face difficulty accepting this term.

The second principle demands acceptance of the values in Israel's Declaration of Independence. Signed in 1948, the document emphasizes freedom, justice, peace, and complete equality for all citizens regardless of religion or race. Eisenkot cited the declaration's guarantee of rights and its commitment to the United Nations Charter. This condition signals a focus on the status of minority groups and the country's pursuit of peace rather than perpetual conflict.

The third condition mandates universal service for all citizens, including military, national, and civilian roles. Eisenkot said this rule aims to strengthen the Israel Defense Forces by expanding its ranks. It sends a direct message to ultra-Orthodox parties that have historically resisted including yeshiva students in the draft. The Supreme Court previously ruled that the blanket exemption for religious students lacked legal basis and violated equality laws.

The fourth requirement involves recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization. Eisenkot said the coalition must be committed to dismantling Hamas's military and governing power. This condition directly addresses the positions of the two main Arab parties, Ra'am and the Joint List. Both groups have expressed reluctance to make this declaration public, citing concerns about maintaining communication channels with Palestinians and preserving their credibility among voters.

Mansour Abbas, the leader of Ra'am, told President Herzog last week that he has an unequivocal answer but needs space to act as a bridge. Abbas argued that adopting specific language could alienate Palestinian counterparts. He also noted that Arab politicians are often subjected to loyalty tests not applied equally to their Jewish counterparts. The Joint List continues to view Hamas as part of the broader Palestinian political movement rather than solely a terrorist entity.

Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Eisenkot to join him in a national unity government to counter ongoing threats. Eisenkot responded that his government will be defined by the four Zionist parties of the change bloc. He said he will send formal invitations to every Knesset faction immediately. Eisenkot stated that any party prepared to sign onto the four principles is a potential partner in his leadership.

United Torah Judaism, which holds seven seats, refused on Thursday to recommend Netanyahu as the next leader. The party abstained from recommending any candidate, a move that distinguishes it from its long-term alignment with Netanyahu's bloc. Both United Torah Judaism and Shas have resisted universal draft laws for yeshiva students. Eisenkot's stipulation on service may determine whether these parties join his coalition or remain outside the government.