Eisenkot launches coalition talks to replace Netanyahu after presidential mandate
The Guardian reported that Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, began coalition talks on 8 November in Israel, seeking partners across the political spectrum to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier, Reuters said President Isaac Herzog had tasked Eisenkot with forming a government after the 27 October election produced no clear majority, giving him a six-week mandate. CNN added that the president set a 28-day deadline for negotiations.
Earlier coalition overtures included Shas indicating openness to talks with Eisenkot and United Torah Judaism considering abstention in the prime-minister recommendation (i24NEWS). Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beiteinu announced he would no longer block a coalition that includes ultra-Orthodox parties (Jerusalem Post) and later said his party would join only if a flexible haredi draft law were passed, rejecting a prime-minister rotation (Jerusalem Post). France 24 quoted Eisenkot as saying negotiations were advancing after Liberman signaled willingness to discuss the conscription issue.