Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot is likely to become the leader of the Change Bloc in the Knesset when it convenes on Tuesday.
Eisenkot is scheduled to meet Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman on Monday to discuss the parliamentary leadership position, with Eisenkot himself emerging as the most likely candidate for the post, according to Israel’s N21.
The meeting comes amid ongoing political negotiations in Israel following Eisenkot’s receipt of the mandate from President Isaac Herzog to form the country’s next government. His support included lawmakers from Yashar, Together, The Democrats, Yisrael Beiteinu and Arab-led parties. Israel needs leadership that champions what unites us and paves the way for a new era—an era of Zionism, solidarity, and friendship. However, differences have emerged between Eisenkot and Lieberman over the composition of the proposed government and the possibility of relying on Arab-led parties for parliamentary support. Lieberman has ruled out supporting a minority government dependent on Arab-led parties, potentially complicating Eisenkot’s efforts to assemble a governing coalition.
Eisenkot formally received the mandate to form the new government on Sunday after securing recommendations from 67 members of the 120-member Knesset during consultations with political factions.
The two leaders will discuss who should chair the bloc in the Knesset, according to the report. Following the ceremony, Eisenkot called for a new era of “Zionism, solidarity, and friendship” in Israel, pledging to establish a broad-based national emergency government to address the country’s security, diplomatic and domestic challenges. In a post on X, he said, “Israel needs a new government. President Herzog, while handing over the mandate, said Eisenkot had received the “clear and unequivocal support” of a majority of Knesset members as the candidate with the best chance of forming the next government.
