Liberman to Eisenkot: "You Will Be Prime Minister" – Coalition Talks Enter Critical Stage

The coming days will determine whether the emerging partnership can overcome the military conscription dispute and persuade the ultra-Orthodox parties to abandon their traditional alliance with Netanyahu. Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beytenu, has given Gadi Eisenkot a clear political commitment: he will support him as Israel's next prime minister and will not seek the position for himself.

During a meeting on Monday, Liberman reportedly told Eisenkot: "You will be prime minister. I am not asking for that position for myself. Give me time to work. There are no shortcuts. I am committed to replacing Netanyahu."

The details of the meeting were first reported by Channel 13, citing journalists Yuval Shalev and Michael Shemesh.

Liberman also urged Eisenkot to prepare his party and the wider opposition alliance for significant compromises, arguing that replacing Benjamin Netanyahu would require flexibility and difficult political decisions.

The meeting marks an important development in efforts to establish an alternative government following President Isaac Herzog's decision to give Eisenkot the mandate to form a coalition.

Liberman Takes the Lead in Contacts With Haredi Parties

One of the most significant outcomes of the meeting was an agreement that negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties should be exhausted before considering alternative coalition arrangements.

Eisenkot reportedly asked Liberman to assist in establishing contacts with United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas, hoping to persuade them to support an alternative government.

The two leaders agreed that the possibility of forming a minority government with external support from Arab parties would be postponed until negotiations with the Haredi factions had been completed.

According to Channel 13, contacts between Eisenkot's representatives and United Torah Judaism have already begun.

The development is particularly significant given Liberman's longstanding opposition to ultra-Orthodox military exemptions and his previous confrontations with the Haredi political leadership.

Military Conscription at the Center of Negotiations

The most difficult obstacle to an agreement remains legislation governing military service for ultra-Orthodox men.

Eisenkot has made reform of the military draft system a central political commitment, arguing that military service obligations must be expanded and that the existing exemption system cannot continue unchanged.

United Torah Judaism, meanwhile, is demanding guarantees protecting yeshiva students and preserving the religious educational framework.

Liberman's willingness to negotiate with the Haredi parties suggests that he may accept a transitional arrangement or a compromise on the implementation of military service legislation.

However, no final agreement has been announced, and the parties still face substantial differences over the scope and timing of any reform.

Bennett Gives Eisenkot Authority to Choose the Next Knesset Speaker

Another important development concerns the position of Knesset speaker.

Naftali Bennett, chairman of the B'Yachad party, informed Eisenkot that he would have the authority to select the permanent speaker of the 26th Knesset.

The decision follows several days of discussions involving Eisenkot, Bennett and Liberman over the distribution of key parliamentary positions.

The opposition is seeking to replace current Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a close political ally of Netanyahu.

However, the ultra-Orthodox parties have resisted participating in an immediate move to replace the speaker before a new government is established.

United Torah Judaism has argued that the change should take place as part of the formation of a new government rather than during the opening session of the Knesset.

Netanyahu Launches New Appeal for a Unity Government

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has renewed his appeal for the establishment of a broad national unity government incorporating Zionist and ultra-Orthodox parties.

In a video statement, the outgoing prime minister called for political cooperation and emphasized the need for a government capable of addressing Israel's security and economic challenges.

His appeal comes as the opposition attempts to persuade parties traditionally aligned with his coalition to consider joining an alternative government.

Netanyahu's Likud has not indicated willingness to accept an arrangement under which Eisenkot would become prime minister.

Eisenkot, for his part, has ruled out serving in a government headed by Netanyahu.

Liberman Rejects Minority Government With Arab Support

Despite the possibility that Arab political parties could provide the parliamentary votes needed to establish an alternative government, Liberman continues to reject a minority coalition dependent on their external support.

The Arab parties collectively hold 19 Knesset seats, making their parliamentary position significant in the current political arithmetic.

Liberman has argued that a government relying on their support would be unstable.

His preferred strategy is to assemble a coalition of Zionist and ultra-Orthodox parties, even if this requires compromises on military conscription and other controversial issues.

The Political Arithmetic

Eisenkot's opposition alliance currently controls 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Netanyahu's outgoing coalition holds 53 seats, while the Arab parties control another 19.

A government requires the support of at least 61 lawmakers.

The coalition negotiations therefore depend on whether Eisenkot can attract sufficient support from the ultra-Orthodox parties or establish an alternative parliamentary arrangement.

The immediate priorities are:

• Reaching an understanding with United Torah Judaism.

• Exploring the possibility of Shas joining an alternative coalition.

• Agreeing on a compromise over military conscription.

• Maintaining unity among Eisenkot, Bennett and Liberman.

• Resolving disagreements over parliamentary appointments and legislative priorities.

A New Political Strategy Takes Shape

Liberman's reported statement that Eisenkot will become prime minister, combined with his willingness to engage the ultra-Orthodox parties, signals a new phase in the coalition negotiations.

The central challenge is no longer simply bringing together the parties opposed to Netanyahu. It is finding common ground between political groups with fundamentally different positions on religion, military service and the relationship between state and society.

For Eisenkot, the negotiations represent the first major test of his ability to translate political support into a governing majority.

For Liberman, they offer an opportunity to play a central role in determining the composition of Israel's next government without demanding the premiership for himself.